<P> The Western Schism, also called Papal Schism, Great Occidential Schism and Schism of 1378 was a split within the Catholic Church lasting from 1378 to 1417 in which three men simultaneously claimed to be the true pope . Driven by politics rather than any theological disagreement, the schism was ended by the Council of Constance (1414--1418). For a time these rival claims to the papal throne damaged the reputation of the office . </P> <P> The affair is sometimes referred to as the Great Schism, although this term is typically reserved for the East--West Schism of 1054 between the Western Churches answering to the See of Rome and the Orthodox Churches of the East . </P>

When were there three popes at the same time