 ..The last of the Avignon popes was Gregory XI, who was elected after Urban died in December, 1370, just after returning to France. His return to Rome was hindered by an empty treasury (depleted from costly wars to subdue the papal states, past building campaigns, and the enormously expensive 'move' to Rome in 1367), and the affinities of many cardinals for the south of France, which was their home. However, on September 13th, 1376 Gregory did indeed set out for Rome. (Church finance and much of the administration was still centered in Avignon.) Gregory died on March 27th, 1378. |
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The Romans, fearing that the papacy would again desert Rome, struck fear into the cardinals that if they did not elect a Roman pope, they would kill them (the cardinals). Under threat from the mob, the cardinals elected Bartolomeo Prignano, the Archbishop of Bari, who took the name of Urban VI. For several reasons, five months later the cardinals declared this election null and void, and elected Robert of Geneva as pope ('Clement VII'--not to be confused with the later Clement VII). Clement moved back to Avignon, but was not the undisputed head of the Church: countries took sides with either Urban or Clement, causing great political and spiritual confusion. Thus began what is called the "Great Schism of the West." |
It was thus the first pathway spanning the Rhone. First made of wood, the St-Benezet Bridge crossed the Rhone river, dividing line between France and the Holy Roman Empire. Its reconstruction in stone dates from the end of the XIII century. Several times mistreated by wars and the flooding Rhone, it was continuously under repair until the XVII century when it ceased to be restored. Only four arches survive of the original twenty-two.
