Benedictus XIII, tegenpaus, 1334-1423

Variant names

Hide Profile

Pedro de Luna was born about 1328 at Illueca, Aragon, of one of the rich and noble families of the area. He obtained his doctorate and lectured in canon law at Montpellier. Gregory XI named him a cardinal in 1375. He supported the election of Urban VI but once convinced that the election was invalid gave his full support to Clement VII of Avignon. When Clement VII died, the cardinals hoped that the Great Schism might be ended if the Avignon cardinals refrained from electing a successor. When the cardinals met in conclave on September 26, 1394, all twenty-one of them took an oath to work for the elimination of the schism, each agreeing, if elected, to abdicate if and when the majority judged it proper.

They unanimously chose Pedro de Luna, cardinal deacon of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, who had opposed the oath and had taken it reluctantly. He accepted the office and took the name Benedict XIII. As pope, Benedict refused to take specific steps to end the schism and refused his own resignation as a means to the end. After he lost the support of France (1408), the Councils of Pisa (1409) and Constance (1417) deposed him. The election of Martin V (Oddo Colonna) as pope healed the schism though Benedict still refused to accept his deposition. He died on May 23, 1423.

From the description of Bullarum Benedicti XIII, 1394-1413. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 145570123

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Benedict XIII, Antipope, 1342-1423?. Bullarum Benedicti XIII, 1394-1413. Bentley Historical Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1334

Death 1423-11

Latin

Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6dr5pnt

Ark ID: w6dr5pnt

SNAC ID: 74130275