The Babylonian Captivity and the Transfer of the Papal Seat to Avignon
In 1309 Pope Clement V, formerly Bishop of Bordeaux and elevated thanks to Philip IV of France, transferred the papal seat from Rome to Avignon. Clement felt unsafe in Rome and French cardinals held a large majority in the Sacred College. He first stayed in Lyon and Poitiers, then chose Avignon in the territory of the Count of Provence.
Political Background and Weakening of Papal Authority
Efforts by popes from Gregory VII to Boniface VIII to create a unified European government through royal submission to the papacy failed. Nationalism triumphed over religious federalism. In Italy the republics of Florence and Venice, the Lombard city-states, and the Kingdom of Naples resisted papal obedience. The Papal States were divided into four regions — Latium, Umbria, Marche, and Romagna — but power increasingly fell into the hands of military adventurers and feudal families such as the Baglioni, Bentivoglio, Malatesta, Manfredi, and Sforza.
The Avignon Popes and Dependence on France
From 1305 to 1378 the popes were mostly French and the papal administration fell under the influence of French kings. This made the papacy appear to Germans, Bohemians, Italians, and English as an instrument of French policy. Clement V dealt cautiously with Philip IV and sold church incomes through auctions. He supported reform reports at the Council of Vienne but suffered from lupus, which led to his death.
John XXII and Administrative Organization
After chaos following Clement’s death, John XXII, son of a cobbler from Cahors, became pope. He was skilled in administration and organized the papal machinery. He filled the papal treasury through the sale of offices and heavy taxation. At his death he left 18 million gold florins in cash and the equivalent of 7 million florins in plate and jewels. He encouraged learning but was accused of heresy in theological matters.
Benedict XII and Clement VI
Benedict XII tried to reduce corruption and lived simply but died early. Clement VI inclined toward luxury and freely granted offices. He turned Avignon into a center of politics, culture, pleasure, and corruption. The administrative organization included the Apostolic Camera, Chancery, Papal Judicial Council, and Penitentiary. The Palace of the Popes was built in Gothic style and Simone Martini created frescoes for it.
The Heavy Tax System and Protests
The Avignon popes imposed heavy taxes to compensate for lost Italian revenues: annates, pallium fees, annual incomes, and tithes. Upon the death of prelates, their property went to the pope. This system angered kings, parliaments, and even clergy. Edward III of England and its Parliament passed restrictive laws. In Germany papal collectors were attacked and imprisoned.
Moral Corruption and Criticisms
Avignon became a center of corruption. Petrarch called it a godless Babylon, hell on earth, and sink of the world. The Bishop of Mende reported that clerics were models of gluttony and vice. However, several popes such as Benedict XII, Innocent VI, and Urban V lived ascetic lives. Wealth and power were the main causes of corruption.
Attempts to Return to Rome
Innocent VI, with the help of Cardinal Albornoz, recovered the Papal States and drew up the Egidian Constitution. Urban V returned to Rome in 1367 but went back to Avignon. Gregory XI returned to Rome in 1377 amid revolts and the excommunication of Florence. Saint Catherine of Siena urged the popes to return and reform.
Christian Life in the Avignon Era
Alongside corruption, the Inquisition violently suppressed heretics such as Dolcino and Margherita. In contrast, saints like Catherine of Siena and Bernardino of Siena promoted zeal and preaching to revive faith. Catherine used letters and travels to support the return of the papacy to Rome.
Consequences of the Babylonian Captivity
The Babylonian Captivity damaged papal prestige, prepared the ground for the Western Schism, and strengthened calls for reform. The final return of the popes to Rome restored some authority but at great cost.