A pious monk and able administrator before his election, he almost immediately came into conflict with the cardinals and showed himself to be arrogant and imperious.
The majority of cardinals fled to Fondi, Italy, repudiated their election of Urban, and on 20 September1378 chose Robert of Geneva as anti-pope; he chose the name Clement VII, and inaugurated decades of schism that divided Europe, confused the faithful, and wasted the lives of many good men.
Issuing statements against the schismatics, raising funds, fielding armies, offense and defense in the field - these tied up the bulk of Urban's papacy.
Had his time been more peaceful he may have been a competent leader of the Church, but Urban was ill-suited to deal with the legacy of divisions following the Avignon exile.
![[portrait of Pope Urban VI]](pope0202.jpg "19kb jpg portrait of Pope Urban VI; please do not write to ask about the image")
