Bertrand of Got (Pope Clement V)

Bertrand of Got, known as Pope Clement V, was the head of the Catholic Church from 1305 to 1314. Originally from what is now France, he became pope during a turbulent time marked by political conflicts and church scandals. Notably, he moved the papal court from Rome to Avignon, initiating the period called the Avignon Papacy, which impacted the church's authority and relationships with European monarchs. His papacy was characterized by efforts to stabilize the church, though it also faced criticism for its perceived dependence on French influence.