The Papacy at Avignon (1305-1377)
The Papacy at Avignon became the reason hatred and contempt with the popes sprouted in the first place. The original reason for the dislike of the popes who resided in Avignon is that the church was founded in Rome, Peter was the first bishop and he was the bishop of Rome. For most it wasn't right to have the church and its roots in one place and have the leader of the church in another. This was not the only source of discontent, however. French King Philip IV also contributed as he is said to have pressured the papacy in Avignon into electing 113 frenchmen for the position of cardinal of the 134 cardinals elected while in Avignon. This action by the papacy was seen as different things, but to some the papacy had been captured and was now being controlled by the French.
During their stay in Avignon the popes were receiving less income and began to raise taxes and even taxed the clergy which is the one thing Boniface had died trying to prevent. Furthermore, as the people were scraping by with the new taxes the popes were living extravagant lives in Avignon and this led to more hatred. Eventually most felt the solution was the return to Rome, so one Catherine of Siena (c. 1347-1380) appealed to Pope Gregory XI (1370-1379) and told him to use his authority more wisely or renounce it altogether.
During their stay in Avignon the popes were receiving less income and began to raise taxes and even taxed the clergy which is the one thing Boniface had died trying to prevent. Furthermore, as the people were scraping by with the new taxes the popes were living extravagant lives in Avignon and this led to more hatred. Eventually most felt the solution was the return to Rome, so one Catherine of Siena (c. 1347-1380) appealed to Pope Gregory XI (1370-1379) and told him to use his authority more wisely or renounce it altogether.