Clement VII | |
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Count of Geneva | |
Elected | 20 September 1378 |
Papacy began | 20 September 1378? |
Papacy ended | 16 September 1394 |
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Opposed to | Roman claimants: |
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Created cardinal | 30 May 1371 by Pope Gregory XI |
Personal details | |
Born | Robert of Geneva 1342 |
Died | 16 September 1394 Avignon, Papal States | (aged 52)
Coat of arms | |
Other popes and antipopes named Clement |
Robert of Geneva (French: Robert de Genève; 1342 – 16 September 1394) was elected to the papacy as Clement VII (French: Clément VII) by the cardinals who opposed Pope Urban VI and was the first antipope residing in Avignon, France. His election led to the Western Schism.
The son of Amadeus III, Count of Geneva, Robert became Archbishop of Cambrai and was made a cardinal in 1371. As legate, during the War of the Eight Saints, he is said to have authorized the massacre of over 2,000 civilians at Cesena in 1377. He was elected pope the following year by the cardinals who opposed Urban VI and established himself at Avignon.