A revival of the Avignon Papacy?

The Avignon Papacy (1309-1377) remains one of the most consequential periods in the history of the Catholic Church, frequently invoked in debates about the relationship between religious authority and political power. Its significance lies not only in the relocation of the papal court from Rome to southern France, but also in the broader questions it raises about independence, influence, and the limits of external pressure on spiritual institutions.

Recent comments and reports of tensions between the United States (U.S.) administration and the Vatican have revived interest in this phenomenon, highlighting its continued relevance in modern geopolitical discourse.

Divergence and tensions between Washington and the Vatican

Based on published reports, a January 2026 meeting at the Pentagon between U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby and Cardinal Christophe Pierre, then the Vatican’s ambassador to Washington, included tense exchanges over foreign policy.

These reports suggested that U.S. officials highlighted American military capabilities and expressed expectations regarding the Vatican’s stance on global affairs (mainly to align with that of Washington). During the discussion, the Avignon Papacy was reportedly invoked. Interpretations of this reference differ: some observers viewed it as a symbolic warning about the historical consequences of resisting dominant political powers, while others saw it as rhetorical or illustrative rather than coercive.

The aforementioned reported tensions included a series of public statements by Pope Leo XIV criticizing what he has described as a growing reliance on force in International Relations (I.R.). Indeed, the Pope noted in his annual address to the Vatican’s diplomatic corps on 9 January 2026 that

a diplomacy that promotes dialogue and seeks consensus among all parties is being replaced by a diplomacy based on force, by either individuals or groups of allies.

He added that

war is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading.

While not always naming specific countries, such remarks have been interpreted by some analysts as indirectly critical of U.S. military actions. This divergence in tone and priorities has contributed to a noticeable strain in relations between Washington and the Holy See.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Defense (D.O.D.) has described “offensive” characterizations of the meeting as exaggerated, and no official transcript has been released, leaving the details open to interpretation. Official U.S. statements have also rejected claims of hostility, stressing on respect for the Vatican and framing the interaction as part of standard diplomatic engagement.

Moreover, tensions were further compounded by President Donald Trump’s recent statements. The latter sharply criticized Pope Leo XIV, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” and saying he is “not a fan” of the pope, prompting a wave of international reactions. In the same manner, after the Pope said that Jesus “is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs,” U.S. Vice President (V.P.) JD Vance argued that the pontiff should “be careful” when he talks about theology, rebuking him over his criticisms of U.S. foreign policy.

Such standoffs reveal the diverging approaches that Washington and the Vatican adopt with regards to foreign affairs., with concerns regarding an American attempt to revive the Avignon Papacy once again.

Historical overview: The Avignon Papacy (1309-1377)

The Avignon Papacy emerged from a period of intense conflict between the papacy and European monarchies, particularly the French crown. The confrontation between Pope Boniface VIII and King Philip IV of France marked a decisive turning point. Boniface’s assertion of papal supremacy in spiritual and temporal matters led to a direct clash with the French king, culminating in the pope’s arrest and subsequent death in 1303.

In the aftermath, Clement V, a French archbishop, was elected pope under significant political pressure. Rather than establishing his seat in Rome, which was suffering from instability, he moved the papal court to Avignon in 1309. Over the next 67 years, 7 successive popes governed the Church from there, in close proximity to the French monarchy.

Although Avignon was technically outside the Kingdom of France, its political environment was heavily influenced by French interests. This proximity led many to view the papacy as being under the sway of the French crown, whether directly or indirectly.

Reformers within the Church voiced concern that the papacy had drifted from its spiritual mission. Figures such as Catherine of Siena urged Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome, stressing the need for independence and moral renewal. In 1377, Gregory complied, ending the Avignon residency. However, the return did not resolve internal divisions. The subsequent election of rival popes in Rome and Avignon triggered the Western Schism (1378-1417), a prolonged crisis that further damaged the Church’s unity and credibility.

Historians continue to debate the extent to which the Avignon Papacy represented outright political subordination versus pragmatic adaptation to difficult circumstances. Nonetheless, it is widely regarded as a period that exposed the vulnerabilities of religious authority when operating alongside powerful political forces.

Hence, while the circumstances of the 14th century differ markedly from those of today, the underlying questions about independence, influence, and the boundaries of power remain relevant. As modern disputes unfold, references to this period serve less as direct comparisons and more as reminders of the enduring complexities at the intersection of faith and geopolitics.