How to Take Back What’s Yours
Lessons from a pragmatic idealist…
What happens when idealism collides with reality? More often than not, disaster.
The return of the papacy to Rome in 1377 is one such case. For 67 years, the Popes had resided in the city of Avignon as effective captives of the French crown. Finally, in part after heeding the promptings of an illiterate, strong-willed mystic from Siena (known today as St. Catherine), Pope Gregory XI mustered the courage to return to Italy.
Most histories of the Avignon Papacy end there, celebrating Pope Gregory’s brave decision to return to hostile Rome. But here’s what everyone misses — the “triumphant” return of the popes to Rome was anything but.
What’s more, the truth of what actually happened has much to teach us about our own understanding of politics today.
When Pope Gregory entered the Eternal City, he was greeted with nothing shy of total chaos. Thoroughly unprepared for what awaited him, he failed to secure his authority, and constant riots threw the return into disarray. Then, upon his death just one year later, the Catholic Church was thrown into scandal as contested elections led to not one but two rival claimants to the papacy.
This period of scandalous turmoil (known as the Western Schism) was further compounded by the election of yet a third Antipope in 1409. Finally, 40 years after Pope Gregory XI’s return to Rome, one man rose up to put an end to the chaos and confusion. His name was Pope Martin V.
Today, we explore how Pope Martin learned from the mistakes of his predecessors to masterfully navigate political minefields, put an end to the scandal of the Western Schism, and return the papacy once and for all to Rome. Keep reading to learn what he can teach you about the importance of pragmatism in achieving idealistic aims…
But first — this summer we are hosting our first ever INVICTUS retreat, The History of Rome as Told by Its Heroes.
Click here to learn more about the retreat and how to apply today. If you love the Roman Empire and the Eternal City, you do NOT want to miss this…
From Antipopes to Newfound Hope
By the early 15th century, the Western Schism had fractured the Church beyond recognition. Three rival claimants to the Papacy — one in Rome, one in Avignon, and one in Pisa — each declared themselves the true Pope, backed by different political factions.
The situation had become untenable, threatening not just the Church’s spiritual authority but also its political survival. Finally, the Council of Constance (1414-1418) convened to end the schism once and for all. After having deposed the rival Antipopes, it elected Oddone Colonna as Pope Martin V, the sole legitimate successor to Saint Peter.
While Martin V’s election was a huge step forward, the new pontiff held power in name only. The Church was still divided, Rome was in anarchy, and Europe’s rulers continued to view the papacy as a tool for their own ambitions.
Martin knew that if he rushed back to Rome without first securing the political groundwork, he would share the fate of Gregory XI. This realization, combined with his appreciation of the task he was called to, led him to carefully plan his next steps. And so he began a slow, three-year return journey to Rome…
Securing the Foundations
Martin’s first move was diplomacy. He understood that before he could rule Rome, he had to neutralize external threats — and so he got to work negotiating concordats with the Holy Roman Empire, France, England, and Spain, securing their recognition of his authority.
This wasn’t just a formality, but a move to ensure that no rival pope would emerge to challenge him. Without unity, Martin knew the Papacy would collapse into another round of schism and infighting — something that had to be avoided at all costs.
Next, Martin turned his attention south, traveling deliberately through Bern, Geneva, Mantua, and Florence. But these weren’t just trips for sightseeing and diplomatic pleasantries — each city and state he visited had their own political ambitions, and their own ideas about the papacy.
Martin maneuvered carefully, striking deals to convince leaders it was in their best interest to support him, ensuring they wouldn’t back any future challengers, and rebuilding the legitimacy of the Papacy itself.
Remarkably, he managed to forge alliances at each stop along the way — but his biggest challenge was yet to come…
Making Allies of Enemies
Two major threats still remained: the Kingdom of Naples, and the mercenary warlords of central Italy.
Naples had already driven a Pope out of Rome once before. Just four years prior, their forces had swept through the city — looting, killing, and leaving the papal palace in ruins as they drove Antipope John XXIII out of Rome by force of arms.
Martin couldn’t afford for history to repeat itself, but also knew he didn’t have the military power to challenge Naples directly. So instead, he recognized Joanna II (who was currently embroiled in conflicts over the throne) as Queen of Naples, securing her neutrality. This mutual exchange of political security freed up Martin’s southern flank, allowing him to focus on battles elsewhere.
To his north, for example, was the condottiere Braccio da Montone — a ruthless mercenary captain who had carved out his own independent dominion in central Italy. Here, Martin made his most pragmatic move yet — rather than seek to destroy Braccio, he sought to domesticate him.
Martin cut him a deal, allowing him to keep his conquered lands in exchange for serving under papal authority, and returning Bologna to the Papal fold. The alternative — war against a seasoned mercenary army — would have drained resources and shed unnecessary blood.
By pursuing a pragmatic approach to dealings with both Braccio and Joanna, Martin was able to stabilize the territories surrounding Rome. This accomplished, he now embarked on his final task — the securing of Rome itself.
The Papacy Returns to Rome
Even with external threats removed, Martin’s work wasn’t finished. Rome itself was still a city of warring noble families. The last Pope had lost control and been driven out of Rome in disgrace — Martin refused to make that same mistake.
He secured his rule the only way possible: by placing the only people he could trust, his own family, in key civil positions. While his enemies accused him of nepotism, he knew it was a necessary step. Rome had been without stable leadership for a century, and he needed loyal officials to cement order. Failure to do so would mean the hard won peace would be destroyed.
His plan worked. When Martin finally entered Rome in 1420, he returned not as a powerless figurehead, but as the master of a city that was ready to be governed. The Western Schism was over, and the Papacy was restored in Rome.
So while it was the idealism of Saint Catherine and Pope Gregory XI that inspired the return of the Popes to the Eternal City, it was the careful planning and pragmatism of Pope Martin V’s that saw it through to completion.
Takeaways
1) Prepare the Ground
After his election, Martin didn’t rush to Rome. He first took time to build alliances and neutralize threats, only moving into the Eternal City once it was prudent to do so. Patience and planning are key to lasting success
2) Know Where True Power Lies
When Martin was elected Pope, he understood the pontifical title meant little by itself. He didn’t dare make a move on Rome until he had secured his legitimacy in the eyes of contemporary powers and potentates. In other words, he only acted in his authority as Pope once he had assured that the authority of the Papacy itself was restored.
3) Use Practical Know-How to Achieve Idealistic Goals
The restoration of the Papacy to Rome was inherently idealistic. Pope Gregory’s attempt resulted in a false start, but Pope Martin’s pragmatism helped see the plan through to success. No grand vision can succeed without practical execution.
Want to dive deeper?
If you’d like to explore the Rome of Pope Martin V in person, be sure to join us on our summer retreat to Rome! He will be one of the main figures we cover on the day dedicated to Rome’s Medieval Age.
This Thursday, our premium subscribers will get a deep dive article further detailing Pope Martin’s incredible accomplishments and what you can learn from them.
If you’re not already a premium subscriber, please consider joining below — and don’t forget that members of our Praetorian Guard get 5% off on retreats, and priority selection for attendance!
Ad finem fidelis,
-Evan