Pedro de Luna (1328–23 May 1423), commonly known by his papal name el Papa Luna, was an Aragonese nobleman and senior churchman who became the leading claimant in the Avignon line during the late 14th and early 15th centuries. Elected by a faction of cardinals after the death of his predecessor, he asserted the office and title of Pope from Avignon. The institutional Roman hierarchy and later church councils rejected his claim; the Catholic Church today lists him as an antipope.

Background and election

Born into an influential family in the Crown of Aragon, Pedro de Luna rose through ecclesiastical ranks before being chosen by those cardinals who remained with the Avignon curia. His election came amid the wider dispute that divided Christian Europe—an era often called the Western Schism. Support for his claim varied by kingdom and changed over time as politics, war and diplomacy shifted alliances.

Role in the schism

Benedict XIII maintained a papal court, issued bulls and attempted to exercise the functions of the papacy. His refusal to resign or to accept some negotiated compromises lengthened the contest for papal legitimacy. Several attempts by other church leaders and secular rulers to resolve the schism produced competing elections and councils, complicating recognition of any single occupant of the see of Rome.

Later years and legacy

After losing many supporters, he withdrew to a fortified residence where he spent his final years, continuing to claim the papal title until his death in 1423. Historically he is remembered both as a stubborn defender of his election and as a symbol of the institutional dangers that arise when religious leadership becomes entangled with international politics. Modern historians study his career to understand how the schism affected theology, diplomacy and governance in late medieval Europe.

Notable points

  • Often referred to in Spanish tradition as el Papa Luna, a nickname that underlines his national and cultural profile.
  • His case illustrates how competing dynastic and national interests shaped recognition of papal authority during the schism.
  • Although declared illegitimate by later councils, his tenure influenced subsequent reforms aimed at strengthening papal election procedures and curial unity.

For further reading and documentary sources, see contemporary chronicles and modern studies that address the Avignon papacy, the politics of late medieval Iberia, and the councils that attempted to end the schism. Many popular and scholarly accounts are available online and in print; search reputable collections and archives for primary documents and critical analysis.