Trace the events of the papacy's decline during the fourteenth century.

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The Answer is The decline of the papacy during the fourteenth century can be traced through several key events.

One major factor was the Avignon Papacy, during which the papal court moved from Rome to Avignon, France, under pressure from the French monarchy. This move weakened the papacy's authority and independence, as it became closely tied to the interests of the French crown.

The Great Schism of the West further weakened the papacy, as there were multiple claimants to the papal throne. This divided the Christian world and led to a loss of credibility for the papacy.

Additionally, the Black Death and other plagues of the fourteenth century led to a significant decrease in the population, including clergy and church officials. This had a negative impact on the church's ability to govern and provide spiritual guidance to the people.

Finally, the rise of secular rulers and the growing influence of humanism and other intellectual movements challenged the authority of the papacy. This led to a decline in the overall power and influence of the papacy during the fourteenth century.

Trace the Events of the Papacy's Decline During the Fourteenth