Benedict XIII

Benedict XIII (circa 1328-1423), antipope (1394-1423) in Avignon, France, during the Great Western Schism (1378-1417), when the Roman Catholic church split into two, then three, simultaneous allegiances. He was born Pedro de Luna in Illueca, Aragón (now in Spain). As a cardinal deacon he participated in the election of Pope Urban VI but later joined the French cardinals in the election (1378) of Robert of Geneva as Antipope Clement VII. On Clement's death, Benedict was chosen by the cardinals of Avignon to succeed him. Although he was twice deposed, at the Council of Pisa in 1409 and the Council of Constance in 1417, Benedict claimed to be the rightful pope until his death. Following the Great Schism, the Roman Catholic church did not recognize Benedict as a pope, and the name Benedict XII was given to Pietro Francisco Orsini, who became pope in 1724.