Gregory XI meaning

Gregory XI was a pope who returned the papacy to Rome from Avignon, France, ending the period known as the Avignon Papacy.


Gregory XI definitions

Word backwards yrogerG IX
Part of speech Proper noun
Syllabic division Gre-go-ry XI
Plural The plural form of Gregory XI is Gregory XIs.
Total letters 9
Vogais (3) e,o,i
Consonants (6) g,r,y,x,i

Gregory XI was the 201st Pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 1370 to 1378. Born Pierre Roger de Beaufort in 1336, he was the last French Pope before the Avignon Papacy came to an end.

Early Life and Papacy

Gregory XI was elected as Pope in 1370, following the death of Pope Urban V. He faced the challenging task of moving the papal court back to Rome from Avignon, where it had been located since 1309. This move aimed to reunite the Roman Catholic Church under one centralized leadership.

Return to Rome

In 1377, Gregory XI successfully returned the papal court to Rome, which had a significant impact on the Church's governance and the city's status as the center of Catholicism. This move ended the Avignon Papacy, which had caused much division and controversy.

Legacy and Impact

Gregory XI's decision to return the papacy to Rome set the stage for future popes to maintain the Church's unity and authority. His actions helped restore the papacy's credibility and reaffirmed the importance of Rome as the heart of the Catholic faith.

Death and Aftermath

Gregory XI passed away in 1378, less than a year after returning to Rome. His death triggered the Western Schism, during which rival claimants vied for the papal throne, leading to a period of confusion and division within the Church.

Overall, Gregory XI played a crucial role in the history of the Catholic Church by bringing the papal court back to Rome and reasserting the city's importance as the seat of the papacy.


Gregory XI Examples

  1. Gregory XI was the last Avignon pope before returning the papacy to Rome.
  2. The decision of Gregory XI to move the papacy back to Rome had a major impact on the Catholic Church.
  3. The reign of Gregory XI saw significant political and religious challenges.
  4. As pope, Gregory XI faced pressure to reform the church and address corruption.
  5. Gregory XI's death in 1378 led to the election of Urban VI as his successor.
  6. Historians have debated the legacy of Gregory XI's brief papacy.
  7. The return of Gregory XI to Rome marked the end of the Avignon Papacy.
  8. Gregory XI's efforts to unify the Church were met with resistance from various factions.
  9. The decisions made by Gregory XI during his reign as pope continue to be studied by scholars.
  10. Gregory XI's actions as pope had lasting implications for the Catholic Church.


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  • Updated 04/05/2024 - 20:05:18