Pisa, Council of, met in 1409 in Pisa, Italy, to resolve the Great Schism, a split within the Western Christian church. The schism began in 1378 when two popes were elected after the death of Pope Gregory XI. Each claimed the allegiance of the church. The Council of Pisa deposed both popes and elected Alexander V pope. The two popes refused to give up their claims, however, and three popes now claimed to head the church. In 1417, the Council of Constance, meeting in Konstanz, Germany, elected Martin V as the new pope. The council deposed two of the earlier popes and the third resigned. Martin’s election formally ended the schism.
