For centuries, the pope had been based in Rome. Then, in 1309, Pope Clement V moved the Roman Catholic Church to Avignon, France. Given the power of the Church at that time, how might this move have affected the relationship between the Church and the Papal States? Between the Church and the Italian city-states? How might it have affected France?

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Karen Oconnor

23 December, 20:58

For centuries, the pope had been based in Rome. Then, in 1309, Pope Clement V moved the Roman Catholic Church to Avignon, France. Given the power of the Church at that time, how might this move have affected the relationship between the Church and the Papal States? Between the Church and the Italian city-states? How might it have affected France?

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Halle Weiss · Answer 1

The move to Avignon gave more power to the French Kingdom, at the expense of the Italian city-states, and especially, of the Papal States.

Explanation:

Because the Papal states were the Italian territories that were under direct control of the Church, when the Pope moved to Avignon, he annexed the city to the Papal States, so technically it was part of them. However, in practice, the pope was mostly influenced by French nobles, and had little power over the Italian papal states.

This was an opportunity for the Italian nobles of the region, who seized more power and control over the area.