Antipope

Quick Facts: Who was Antipope?

Subject:

Antipope

Known for:

A claimant who falsely asserts the authority of the Bishop of Rome.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

An antipope (Latin: antipapa) is a person who claims to be Bishop of Rome, the pope and, depending on the time period, the leader of the Catholic Church. Between the 3rd and mid-15th centuries, antipopes were supported by factions within the church itself and secular rulers. While modern claimants to the papacy still take place, they are rarely given serious consideration by either the public or the church. Sometimes it was difficult to distinguish which of two claimants should be called pope and which antipope, as in the case of Pope Leo VIII and Pope Benedict V. Hippolytus of Rome (d. 235) is commonly considered to be the earliest antipope, as he headed a separate group within the church in Rome against Pope Callixtus I. Hippolytus was reconciled to Callixtus's second successor, Pope Pontian, and both he and Pontian are honoured as saints by the Catholic Church with a shared feast day on 13 August.

Career & Major Achievements

Whether two or more persons have been confused in this account of Hippolytus and whether Hippolytus actually declared himself to be the Bishop of Rome remains unclear, since no such claim by Hippolytus has been cited in the writings attributed to him. Eusebius quotes from an unnamed earlier writer the story of Natalius, a 3rd-century priest who accepted the bishopric of the Adoptionists, a heretical group in Rome. Natalius soon repented and tearfully begged Pope Zephyrinus to receive him into communion. 258), another third-century figure, certainly claimed the See of Rome in opposition to Pope Cornelius, and if Natalius and Hippolytus were excluded because of the uncertainties concerning them, Novatian could then be said to be the first antipope. The period in which antipopes were most numerous was during the struggles between the popes and the Holy Roman Emperors of the 11th and 12th centuries.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The emperors frequently imposed their own nominees to further their own causes. The popes, likewise, sometimes sponsored rival imperial claimants (anti-kings) in Germany to overcome a particular emperor. The Western Schism – which began in 1378, when the French cardinals, claiming that the election of Pope Urban VI was invalid, elected antipope Clement VII as a rival to the Roman Pope – led eventually to two competing lines of antipopes: the Avignon line as Clement VII moved back to Avignon, and the Pisan line. The Pisan line, which began in 1409, was named after the town of Pisa, Italy, where the (Pisan) council had elected antipope Alexander V as a third claimant. To end the schism, in May 1415, the Council of Constance deposed antipope John XXIII of the Pisan line.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1378: 1378 Milestone — The Western Schism – which began in 1378, when the French cardinals, claiming that the election of Pope Urban VI was invalid, elected antipope Clement VII as a rival to the Roman Pope – led eventually to two competing lines of antipopes: the Avignon line as Clement VII moved back to Avignon, and the Pisan line.
2. 1409: 1409 Milestone — The Pisan line, which began in 1409, was named after the town of Pisa, Italy, where the (Pisan) council had elected antipope Alexander V as a third claimant.
3. 1415: 1415 Milestone — To end the schism, in May 1415, the Council of Constance deposed antipope John XXIII of the Pisan line.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Antipope

True or False: “The Western Schism was solely caused by a dispute over papal finances rather than legitimacy.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The Western Schism began because French cardinals claimed the election of Pope Urban VI was invalid, leading to rival claimants.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Antipope