The Papacy in the Late Middle Ages
The Pisan Popes
Alexander VI (1409-1410)
Pietro Philargi, a Venetian, was elected by the Council of Pisa, taking the name Alexander VI, after having deposed both the Roman and the Avignonese popes. To the dismay of everyone, the other two popes refused to recognize their deposition or the validity of the council, and now Christendom had three popes.
Alexander went to Bologna because Rome was under the control of Naples. He spent his time battling Ladislas of Naples plus the other two popes. But he fell ill after only a few months and died in 1410.
John XXII (1410-1415)
Baldassare Cossa, from Naples, was a solid member of the Roman faction, but was also a key player in the Councils. He worked hard to end the schism. He took the lead at the Council of Pisa and was instrumental in getting Pietro Philarghi elected as Alexander VI.
That, of course, did not heal the schism but only worsened it. When Alexander died after only a few months, the conclave at once elected Cossa, who took the name John XXII. His court was at Bologna, as Rome was still not safe. He won an early diplomatic victory when he negotiated a reconciliation with Ladislas of Naples, who had been excommunicated. This allowed a return to Rome.
John tried to hold his own general council at Rome in 1413, but because of the schism and the uncertain political situation, it was very poorly attended. This was, however, the council that condemned the writings of John Wyclif as heretical.
The alliance with Ladislas fell apart the same year. A Neapolitan army invaded and John had to flee to Florence. John turned to Emperor Sigismund for protection, who took advantage of the situation to get John's agreement to call a council at Constance.
He didn't want to attend any council he didn't control. He knew well that all the rivals would likely be required to resign. But all of his cardinals insisted he attend, so he did, arriving in October 1414. He tried to maneuver and squirm, but it was hopeless. By March, formal proposals were put forward that all the popes should resign. On 22 March 1415, John fled in secret to nearby Schaffhausen and then to Freiburg im Breisgau. He tried to negotiate from there, in vain. He was forced to abdicate on 29 May 1415.