Beginning in 1309, the Avignon Papacy was characterized by a series of popes residing in Avignon, France, significantly influenced by the French monarchy. This period raised concerns about the integrity and authority of the papacy, leading to perceptions of corruption and a disconnect from Rome. The Avignon Papacy ultimately contributed to the Great Schism and had lasting effects on the Catholic Church's political and spiritual authority.

The Avignon Papacy, beginning in 1309, sparked critiques of church authority in works like those of Petrarch and influenced reformist themes in English and European poetry. Petrarch's sonnets often questioned the moral integrity of the church, reflecting the political turmoil of the time and shaping the discourse around faith and governance.