In light of recent events in the Catholic Church, many are reflecting on the history of the papacy and its diverse origins. Among these stories stands a little-known but remarkable historical fact: Crete once produced a papal claimant. The Cretan Pope Alexander V, born Pietro Philargi, was elected in 1409 during one of the most turbulent periods in Catholic Church history, making him the only figure with direct ties to the island ever to claim the papacy—though he is now officially considered an ‘antipope’ by the Catholic Church.
The Journey from Orphan to Papal Throne
Pietro Philargi was born around 1339, with most historical sources identifying his birthplace as the island of Crete, historically known as Candia. More specifically, local Cretan tradition places his origins in the village of Kares in the Mirabello region of Lasithi. While a minority of sources suggest he may have been born on the nearby island of Nisyros and brought to Crete as a child, the prevailing view among Cretan and Venetian historians is that he was a native Cretan by birth and upbringing.
Orphaned at a young age, Philargi was raised by Franciscan monks in Crete, where he received his early education and became a member of the Franciscan order. Recognized for his exceptional intellect, he was sent to study in Padua and Norwich, received a bachelor of theology from Oxford, and later earned a doctorate of theology from Paris—a remarkable educational journey for the future Cretan Pope. He taught in various Franciscan houses across Europe, eventually holding several important bishoprics and serving as archbishop of Milan before his election to the papacy.
A Pope Amidst Crisis: The Western Schism
This period of division, known as the Western Schism, was one of several major splits in Christian history. Earlier, in 1054, the Great Schism had divided Christianity into the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, a rift that endures to this day. The Western Schism (1378-1417) began after the papacy returned to Rome from its 70-year residence in Avignon, France. Following the death of Pope Gregory XI, disputes over his successor led to the election of rival popes in Rome and Avignon, each supported by different European powers.
Pietro Philargi was elected Pope Alexander V on June 26, 1409, at the Council of Pisa, which attempted to resolve this crisis by deposing both existing popes. Alexander V’s election was greeted with enthusiasm by much of Europe, except for regions loyal to the Avignon pope, and he presided over the final sessions of the Council of Pisa. Instead of solving the problem, however, this election resulted in three simultaneous claimants to the papacy, further deepening the Church’s division. Alexander V’s papacy was brief, lasting less than a year before his death on May 3, 1410, in Bologna.
Understanding the “Antipope” Designation
An antipope is a person who, in opposition to the one generally recognized as the legitimate pope, makes a significantly accepted competing claim to the papacy—often with support from powerful factions within the Church or secular rulers. While widely recognized as pope during his lifetime and celebrated by Venetians and Cretans alike, Alexander V is now classified as an ‘antipope’ by the official Vatican list. The Catholic Church later determined that the Roman line of popes were the legitimate successors, not those from Avignon or Pisa.
This classification doesn’t diminish the historical significance of Alexander V’s position or his Cretan heritage. During his time, his legitimacy as pope was widely accepted by many, and his election was particularly celebrated by his fellow Cretans and the Venetian rulers of the island, who proudly referred to him as the Cretan Pope.
A Legacy That Endures
The Western Schism, which saw Alexander V’s brief papacy, was eventually resolved at the Council of Constance (1414-1418), restoring unified leadership to the Catholic Church under Pope Martin V. However, this period of division had lasting impacts, exposing vulnerabilities in the Church’s structure and contributing to later calls for reform. The confusion of the Western Schism led to reforms at Constance, but also left lingering doubts and dissatisfaction that paved the way for later movements like the Protestant Reformation.
For Crete, Alexander V remains a point of local pride—a testament to the island’s historical connection to the broader currents of European religious and political history. His remarkable journey from a Cretan orphan to the papal throne, albeit as an antipope, is still celebrated on the island as a unique moment when a son of Crete rose to the highest office in the Catholic Church during one of its most challenging periods.
The story of Alexander V, the Cretan Pope, serves as a reminder that even during times of great crisis and division, individuals from humble beginnings can rise to positions of extraordinary influence and leave an indelible mark on history. While his papal status may be disputed by official church records, his Cretan heritage remains a source of pride and a fascinating footnote in both the island’s and the Church’s history.
Published on: April 27th, 2025
Further Reading:
Crete Road Trip: 7 Routes That Will Take Your Breath Away
9 Fascinating Facts About Arkadi Monastery in Crete (+ Best Guided Tours)
