Why did the papacy move from Rome to Avignon in the 14th century?

The relocation of the papacy from Rome to Avignon, France, in 1309 was driven by a combination of intense political pressure and internal instability within Rome.123

During the late 13th and early 14th centuries, Rome was plagued by violent factional strife between powerful noble families, such as the Colonna, Orsini, and Annibaldi, which made the city increasingly difficult for the popes to govern. This instability, coupled with the economic decline of the city, created an environment where few popes could reside there safely.34

Simultaneously, the move represented a major political victory for King Philip IV of France, who had been engaged in a long and often violent conflict with the Roman papacy. By establishing the papal residence in Avignon, the papacy entered a period (1309–1377) often referred to as the "Babylonian Captivity," during which the institution became heavily influenced by French interests. This residency ultimately damaged the prestige of the papacy and contributed to the subsequent Great Western Schism.25