The city of Avignon in southeastern France claims a unique place in Eu

The city of Avignon in southeastern France claims a unique place in European history, as it was home to le Palais des Papes (the Palace of the Popes), which served as the center of the Avignon Papacy in the fourteenth century. As a result of a conflict between his predecessor, Pope Boniface VIII, and King Philip IV of France, Pope Clement V (a Frenchman himself) did not relocate to Rome upon his election but rather stayed in France, finally settling upon Avignon as his papal residency in 1309. As the first significant departure of the papacy from Rome, this move began a controversial chapter in the history of the Catholic Church, highlighting the power of the French throne over the pope and culminating in the Papal Schism. During the schism, two men simultaneously claimed the papacy—Urban VI, who was elected in Rome in 1378, and Clement VII, who reestablished the Avignon papacy in the same year—with each nation having to choose which pope to recognize as legitimate. This schism, which lasted until 1417, represented the increasing influence of secular politics on the hierarchy of the Church and, in many ways, foreshadowed the discontent that led to Luther’s Reformation one hundred years later.

1. What is the primary purpose of this passage?

A. To summarize the origins of the Avignon papacy
B. To describe the significance of the Avignon papacy
C. To defend the influence of Philip IV over the papacy
D. To debate the effects of the Papal Schism
E. To recount the medieval history of Avignon


2. Which of the following statements is NOT supported by the passage?

A. Avignon played a significant role in fourteenth-century ecclesiastical politics.
B. As a Frenchman, Clement V was likely influenced by Philip IV.
C. The Papal Schism was seen to be a sign of increasing politicization of the church hierarchy.
D. The Papal Schism directly motivated Martin Luther to begin his Reformation.
E. The Papal Schism affected national loyalties to the papacy.


3. The highlighted portion serves to emphasize which of the following?

A. The impact of the Avignon papacy
B. The politicization of the Church leading up to the Reformation
C. Martin Luther’s grievances that caused the Reformation
D. Philip IV’s influence over the papacy
E. The results of the Papal Schism