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A Solemn Promise to Resign - 1415

The Council of Constance deposed John XXIII, now regarded as an anti-pope.

Introduction

In 1414 there were three rival popes (technically, two were anti-popes), one ruling from Avignon (Benedict XIII), one from Rome (Gregory XII), and one from Pisa (John XXIII). This state of affairs, known as the Great Western Schism, was so embarrassing that German king Sigismund (later to be Holy Roman Emperor), pressured John XXIII into convoking a council of Western churchmen to meet at Constance and resolve the mess. The council eventually deposed the three existing popes and elevated Martin V to the papacy. A significant breakthrough came when John XXIII, who was accepted by most of the church as the legitimate pope, agreed to resign. Although he claimed his resignation was voluntary, he had no real choice because many nations were aligned against him. His resignation was read at the second session of the Council of Constance on this day March 2, 1415. John then fled, trying to deprive the council of its power, but was soon captured and imprisoned.

Quote

“I, John XXIII, pope, promise, agree, and obligate myself, vow and swear before God, the Church, and this holy council, of my own free will and spontaneously, to give peace to the Church by abdication, provided the pretenders, Benedict and Gregory, do the same.”

Source

Schaff, Philip. History of the Christian Church.

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