Pronunciation: [ˌantɪpˈə͡ʊp] (IPA) 
Antipope is a term used in Catholicism to describe a person who claims to be the pope but is not officially recognized by the Church. The word is spelled as "antipope" with the stress on the second syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈæn.ti.poʊp/, where the first syllable is pronounced as "æn" (like the "a" in "cat"), followed by "ti" (like the "ti" in "tin"), and "poʊp" (like "pope" with a longer "o" sound).
An antipope is a term used in ecclesiastical and papal history to denote a person who claims to be the legitimate Pope or holds himself out as the head of the Catholic Church, despite not being elected or recognized as such by the official hierarchy in Rome. The prefix "anti-" in this context means "opposite" or "against," indicating the opposing claim to the established papal authority.
The rise of antipopes can occur during periods of political instability, schism, or power struggles within the Church. It typically involves a rival individual or group challenging the legitimacy of the reigning Pope, either by disputing the validity of the papal election or by asserting their own supposed right to the papacy. Antipopes often gain support from factions within the Church that oppose the policies or decisions of the Pope, leading to a divided following.
Throughout history, various antipopes have emerged, most notably during the Western Schism from 1378 to 1417 when multiple claimants vied for the papal throne. These rival popes often set up their own hierarchical structures, appointing their own cardinals and bishops, thereby creating a parallel Church organization.
The recognition and resolution of antipopes' claims have typically been achieved through ecumenical councils or through the intervention of political and religious authorities. In some cases, reconciliation with the official papacy is sought, while in others, the rival claimant's faction persists as a separate schismatic or heretical movement.
Overall, the term "antipope" refers to an individual or group that challenges the supreme authority of the Pope and asserts their own legitimacy as the leader of the Catholic Church.
The word "Antipope" is derived from the Latin term "antipapa", which can be broken down into "anti-" meaning "against" or "opposite" and "papa" meaning "pope". Thus, "antipapa" literally translates to "opposite" or "against the pope". Over time, this term evolved into "Antipope" in the English language, referring to someone who claims to be the pope but is not recognized as such by the Roman Catholic Church.
