In 1376 AD, Saint Catherine of Siena wrote a letter to Pope Gregory XI, who was living in Avignon, France. Saint Catherine wrote Pope Gregory XI to encourage him to move to Rome, which she believed was the rightful place for him to rule at the leader of the church. Since 1309, the papacy had dwelled in Avignon due to civil strife in Italy and pressure from the French monarchy, and Catherine believed that it was time for things to change. Catherine was in a unique position to counsel the pope, as she had gained influence through the active role she took in serving the poor of Siena, and she used her position to fight for what she believed was the good of the church.
In her letter, Catherine tried to convince the pope to leave Avignon suddenly and surprisingly in order to avoid his enemies, such as certain cardinals. Catherine identified his enemies as the people wishing him to stay in France, and painted these people as being influenced by the devil. She said that their motives were “their own life, honor, status, and pleasure” and that their “advice goes where their love is.” She contrasted this with her own motives, and the motives of all who wished to see the papacy reestablished in Rome: “It seems to me the advice of good people is concerned only with God’s honor, the salvation of souls, and the reform of holy Church.” By portraying Gregory’s enemies as evil and his supporters as good, Catherine strengthened her position that Gregory needed to make the move.
Another way she provided support for her position was by referencing church history. She first stated the argument made by Gregory’s enemies, who cited how Clement IV would only act with the advice of the cardinals. She then pointed out how they ignored Pope Urban V, who would act according to what he believed was right, even when it was not what the other cardinals wanted. Catherine advised Pope Gregory XI to be like Urban V, and to be “strong and firm as a rock…so that all the contrary winds beating against you won’t hurt you.” Through this biblical reference, as well as her use of papal history and her painting of Gregory’s enemies as evil, Catherine made a persuasive argument. In January 1377, Pope Gregory XI entered Rome and ended papal rule in Avignon.