The papacy had relocated from Rome to the city of Avignon in the southeast of modern-day France, just outside the borders of the kingdom of France. Although the city of Avignon was under the control of the papacy itself, the popes had been under the influence of the French kings. The current Pope, Gregory XI, resolved to return the papacy to Rome. Charles V sent his brother, the Duke of Anjou, to dissuade the pope from going to Rome. Froissart records that the Duke of Anjou told Gregory XI, “Holy Father, you are going to a country and among people where they have little love for you, and leaving the source of the faith and the kingdom in which the Church has more influence and excellence than anywhere else in the world” (202). Still, Gregory XI was resolved to return to Rome.

Gregory XI died shortly after he arrived in Rome on March 28, 1378. As the cardinals met to elect a new pope, a mob of Roman citizens threatened the cardinals unless they elected a Roman as pope. Froissart claims they chose a “very saintly man who was a native of Rome” (203), although Brereton notes Froissart is mistaken that this person was actually elected pope.