What effect did the great schism have on catholicism? three popes allowed the church to reach a much larger population than a single pope, so the church gained greater influence. it shook the foundation of the religion, which held that the one true pope was the ultimate authority on all religious matters. it provoked martin luther to post his ninety-five theses on castle church in wittenburg. it created the church of england when henry viii broke with the catholic church in order to annul his marriage to catherine of aragon.