Boniface had in actuality declared himself emperor of Europe. Many European rulers predictably resented his power play, they wanted tax monies from the Church, and they spoke out. Boniface threatened to excommunicate one such leader, King Philip the 4th of France. Philip in turn kidnapped Boniface.

Boniface was tortured and died shortly after his release in 1303. His vie for supreme power did not end well, for himself or Rome. In 1305, Philip saw the appointing of a French pope, Clement the 5th, and the Papacy was moved from Rome to Avignon.

Many began to understand that the Papacy was now an instrument of French dominance and could no longer serve in a spiritual or religious role for people of other lands. Pope Gregory the 11th, in 1377, moved the Papacy back to Rome. When he died, the cardinals elected the Italian pope, Urban the 6th. The French cardinals then elected the French pope, Clement the 7th, who again took up residency in Avignon. There was a pope in both Rome and France. A schism had occurred in the Catholic Church: the Great Schism, also called the Western Schism.

The Great Schism greatly reduced the Church's legitimacy as the head of all things spiritual, especially after the Black Death. The clergy had died along with everyone else of the Plague. Since many had joined the church out of family obligation and for power, and not a true calling, there were many stories 'decidedly unspiritual indulgences' among the clergy. Now, it wasn't even clear which church they should follow: Rome or Avignon. In 1417, church leaders held a council and elected a single pope, Martin the 5th. The Church was reunited in Rome.