24. What impact did Pope Gregory CII have on the Catholic Church?
Pope Gregory XI, not to be confused with Pope Gregory CII, had a significant impact on the Catholic Church. He served as Pope from 1370 to 1378 and is best known for his decision to move the papacy back to Rome from Avignon, France, ending the period of Papal exile known as the Avignon Papacy.
The Avignon Papacy, which lasted from 1309 to 1377, had resulted in a loss of prestige for the Papacy and had led to a series of conflicts with various European powers. Pope Gregory XI's decision to return the Papacy to Rome helped restore the authority and independence of the Catholic Church. This move reaffirmed Rome as the rightful seat of the Papacy and ended the perception that the Church was under the influence of the French crown.
Gregory XI also played a crucial role in attempting to resolve the Great Western Schism, which erupted shortly after his death. This schism saw multiple claimants to the Papal throne, leading to a split within the Catholic Church. Gregory XI's efforts to address the issues surrounding Papal succession laid the groundwork for future negotiations that eventually led to the resolution of the Western Schism in 1417.
Overall, Pope Gregory XI's decision to return the Papacy to Rome and his efforts to address the challenges faced by the Catholic Church during his time had a significant impact on restoring the authority and unity of the Church.