The major cause of the Great Schism in Christianity, which formally split Christianity into Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy in 1054, was a combination of theological disagreements and political tensions. Key disputes included the authority of the Pope, the use of unleavened bread in the Eucharist, and the "Filioque" controversy, concerning the procession of the Holy Spirit. Political rivalries between the Byzantine Empire and the Papacy in Rome further fueled division. The schism had profound implications for Christianity, leading to distinct religious identities, practices, and theological developments that continue to shape the Christian landscape today.