Antipope Apr 2026

: Felix V (1439–1449) is widely considered the last significant historical antipope.

: Most historians and the Vatican's official directory recognize approximately 37 antipopes throughout history.

: The term is also found in literature, such as Robert Rankin’s fantasy novel The Antipope . antipope

: This was the most famous era for antipopes (1378–1417), during which the church was split between rival popes in Rome and Avignon, France. At one point, there were even three simultaneous claimants. Why They Arose Antipopes typically came to power for one of three reasons:

The history of antipopes spans over a millennium, from the early church to the mid-15th century. : Felix V (1439–1449) is widely considered the

While the era of major antipopes ended in the 15th century, the term still appears in contemporary contexts:

: Small traditionalist groups occasionally elect their own "popes" (such as the late Pope Michael ), though they lack the significant following or political recognition of historical antipopes. : This was the most famous era for

: Internal church disagreements over theology or discipline sometimes led to the election of a rival.