Western Schism ( 1378 -- 1416 ) . The Western Schism , or Papal Schism , was a prolonged period of crisis in Latin Christendom from 1378 to 1416 , when there were two or more claimants to the See of Rome and there was conflict concerning the rightful holder of the papacy .
The Western Schism , or Papal Schism , was a prolonged period of crisis in Latin Christendom from 1378 to 1416 , when there were two or more claimants to the See of Rome and thus it was difficult to discern who the true Pope was .