List of popes

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Plaque commemorating the popes buried in St. Peter's Basilica (their names in Latin and the year of their burial) Seznam papezu pochovanych v Bazilice sv. Petra (cerven 2024).jpg
Plaque commemorating the popes buried in St. Peter's Basilica (their names in Latin and the year of their burial)

This chronological list of the popes of the Catholic Church corresponds to that given in the Annuario Pontificio under the heading "I Sommi Pontefici Romani" (The Roman Supreme Pontiffs), excluding those that are explicitly indicated as antipopes. Published every year by the Roman Curia, the Annuario Pontificio no longer identifies popes by regnal number, stating that it is impossible to decide which pope represented the legitimate succession at various times. [1] The 2001 edition of the Annuario Pontificio introduced "almost 200 corrections to its existing biographies of the popes, from St Peter to John Paul II". The corrections concerned dates, especially in the first two centuries, birthplaces and the family name of one pope. [2]

Contents

The term pope (Latin : papa, lit. 'father') is used in several churches to denote their high spiritual leaders (for example Coptic pope). This title is usually used in English to refer to the head of the Catholic Church. The Catholic pope uses various titles by tradition, including Summus Pontifex , Pontifex Maximus , and Servus servorum Dei . Each title has been added by unique historical events, and unlike other papal prerogatives, is not incapable of modification. [3]

Hermannus Contractus may have been the first historian to number the popes continuously. His list ends in 1049 with Leo IX as number 154. Several changes were made to the list during the 20th century. Christopher was considered a legitimate pope for a long time but was removed due to how he obtained the papacy. Pope-elect Stephen was listed as Stephen II until the 1961 edition, when his name was removed. The decisions of the Council of Pisa (1409) were reversed in 1963 in a reinterpretation of the Western Schism, extending Gregory XII's pontificate to 1415 and classifying rival claimants Alexander V and John XXIII as antipopes.

A significant number of these popes have been recognized as saints, including 48 out of the first 50 consecutive popes, and others are in the sainthood process. Of the first 31 popes, 28 died as martyrs.

Chronological list of popes

1st millennium

1st century

The chronology of the early popes is heavily disputed. The first ancient lists of popes were not written until the late 2nd century, after the monarchical episcopate had already developed in Rome. These first lists combined contradictory traditions, and even the succession of the first popes is disputed. The first certain dates are AD 222 and 235, the elections of Urban I and Liberius. The years given for the first 30 popes follow the work of Richard Adelbert Lipsius, which often show a 3-year difference with the traditional dates given by Eusebius of Caesarea. [4] These are also the dates used by the Catholic Encyclopedia . [5]

Popes of the 1st century
Pontiff
number
PontificateName: English
· Latin
Date and place of birthAge at start/
end
Notes
1c. 30 – c. 64
(34 years)
St Peter
PETRVS
Bethsaida, Gaulanitis, Herodian tetrarchy [birth 1] Born Shimon, son of Yonah. A Jewish peregrinus , free provincial subject of the Roman Empire who was not a Roman citizen. Feast day (Feast of Saints Peter and Paul) 29 June. Apostle of Jesus. According to Catholic tradition, he received the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 16:18–19). The Catholic Church recognizes him as the first bishop of Rome appointed by Jesus and therefore the first pope. Also revered as saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 29 June. [6] St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City is named after him.
2c. 64 – c. 76 (?)
(12 years)
St Linus
LINVS
Volterrae, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 2] First Roman pope. Roman citizen, born in Italia, the homeland of the ancient Romans. [birth 3] [7] Feast day 23 September. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 7 June. Possibly mentioned in the New Testament (Second Epistle to Timothy 4:21). [8]
3c. 76 – c. 88 (?)
(12 years)
St Anacletus
ANACLETVS
Athenae, Achaea, Roman Empire [birth 4] First Greek pope. A peregrinus , free provincial subject of the Roman Empire who was not a Roman citizen. Feast day 26 April. Once erroneously split into Cletus and Anacletus. [9] Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with the same feast day.
4c. 88 – c. 97 (?)
(9 years)
St Clement I
CLEMENS
Roma, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 5] Roman citizen, born in the capital of the Roman Empire. Feast day 23 November. The earliest Apostolic Father; issued First Clement, which is said to be the basis of apostolic authority for the clergy. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 25 November. Possibly mentioned in the New Testament (Epistle to the Philippians 4:3). [10] He was martyred by being tied to an anchor and being thrown into the sea.
5c. 97 – c. 105 (?)
(8 years)
St Evaristus
EVARISTVS
Bethlehem, Judaea, Roman Empire [birth 6] A Hellenized Jew. A peregrinus , free provincial subject of the Roman Empire who was not a Roman citizen. Feast day of 26 October. Said to have divided Rome into parishes, assigning a priest to each.

2nd century

Popes of the 2nd century
Pontiff
number
PontificateName: English
· Latin
Date and place of birthAge at start/
end
Notes
6c. 105 – c. 115 (?)
(10 years)
St Alexander I
ALEXANDER
Roma, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 5] Roman citizen, born in the capital of the Roman Empire. Feast day 3 May. Inaugurated the custom of blessing houses with holy water. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 18 March.
7c. 115 – c. 125
(10 years)
St Sixtus I
XYSTVS
c. 42 Roma, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 5] A Roman of Greek descent, born in Italia, the homeland of the ancient Romans. Uncertain if he was a peregrinus (a free subject of the Roman Empire) or a Roman citizen. Feast day 6 April. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 10 August.
8c. 125 – c. 136
(11 years)
St Telesphorus
TELESPHORVS
Terra Nova, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 7] A Roman of Greek descent, born in Italia, the homeland of the ancient Romans. Uncertain if he was a peregrinus (a free subject of the Roman Empire) or a Roman citizen. Feast day 5 January. Church Father St. Irenaeus called him a great martyr; the earliest attested martyrdom of pope after St. Peter. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 22 February.
9c. 136 – c. 140
(4 years)
St Hyginus
HYGINVS
Athenae, Achaea, Roman Empire [birth 4] Greek. A peregrinus , free provincial subject of the Roman Empire who was not a Roman citizen. Tradition holds he was martyred; feast day 11 January.
10c. 140 – c. 155
(15 years)
St Pius I
PIVS
Aquileia, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 8] Roman citizen, born in Italia, the homeland of the ancient Romans. Brother of the freedman Hermas. Martyred by sword; feast day 11 July. Decreed that Easter should only be celebrated on a Sunday.
11c. 155 – 166/7
(11–12 years)
St Anicetus
ANICETVS
Emesa, Syria, Roman Empire [birth 9] Hellenized Syrian; first Syrian pope. A peregrinus , free provincial subject of the Roman Empire who was not a Roman citizen. Tradition holds he was martyred; feast day 20 April. Decreed that priests are not allowed to have long hair. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 17 April.
12166/7 – 174/5
(8–9 years)
St Soter
SOTERIVS
Fundi, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 10] Roman citizen, born in Italia, the homeland of the ancient Romans. Tradition holds he was martyred; feast day 22 April. Declared that marriage was valid as a sacrament blessed by a priest; formally inaugurated Easter as an annual festival in Rome.
13174/5 – 189
(14–15 years)
St Eleutherius
ELEVTHERIVS
Nicopolis, Epirus, Roman Empire [birth 11] Greek. A peregrinus , free provincial subject of the Roman Empire who was not a Roman citizen. Tradition holds he was martyred; feast day 6 May.
14189 – 198/9
(9–10 years)
St Victor I
VICTOR
Africa, Roman Empire [birth 12] Roman Berber; first pope to have been born on the continent of Africa. Uncertain if he was a peregrinus (a free subject of the Roman Empire) or a Roman citizen. Feast day 28 July or 11 January. Known for excommunicating Theodotus of Byzantium. Quartodecimanism controversy.
15198/9 –
20 December 217
(18–19 years)
St Zephyrinus
ZEPHYRINVS
Roma, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 5] Roman citizen, born in the capital of the Roman Empire. Although not physically martyred (murdered), he is called a martyr for the suffering he endured; feast day 20 December. Combated against the adoptionist heresies of the followers of Theodotus of Byzantium, who were ruled by Theodotus and Asclepiodotus.
c. 198/9 –
c. 199/200
(1 year)
Natalius
NATALIVS
Roma, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 5] Roman citizen, born in the capital of the Roman Empire. In opposition to Zephyrinus. Later reconciled.

3rd century

Popes of the 3rd century
Pontiff
number
PontificateName: English
· Latin
Date and place of birthAge at start/
end
Notes
16218 –
14 October 222
(4 years)
St Callixtus I
CALLISTVS
Roma, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 5] Roman citizen of Greek descent ( Constitutio Antoniniana ). Martyred; feast day 14 October.
217 – 235
(18 years)
St Hippolytus
HIPPOLYTVS
c. 17047 / 65 Roman citizen of Greek descent ( Constitutio Antoniniana ). In opposition to Callixtus I, Urban I, and Pontian. Later reconciled with Pontian (see below).
17222 –
19 May 230
(7 years)
St Urban I
VRBANVS
Roma, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 5] Roman citizen. Feast day 25 May. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with the same feast day.
1821 July 230 –
28 September 235
(5 years, 69 days)
St Pontian
PONTIANVS
Roma, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 5] Roman citizen. Feast day 13 August. First to abdicate due to his exile to Sardinia by Emperor Maximinus Thrax. The Liberian Catalogue recorded his exile on 28 September 235, the earliest exact date in papal history. [12] [13] Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with the same feast day.
1921 November 235 –
3 January 236
(43 days)
St Anterus
ANTERVS
Petelia, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 13] Roman citizen of Greek descent ( Constitutio Antoniniana ). Feast day 3 January. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 5 August.
2010 February 236 –
20 January 250
(13 years, 344 days)
St Fabian
FABIANVS
Roma, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 5] Roman citizen. Feast day 20 January. Divided the communities of Rome into seven districts, each supervised by a deacon. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 5 August.
21March 251 –
June 253
(2 years, 3 months)
St Cornelius
CORNELIVS
Roma, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 5] Roman citizen. Died as a martyr through extreme hardship; feast day 16 September.
March 251 – 258
(7 years)
Novatian
NOVATIANVS
c. 200–220 Roma, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 5] 31–51 / 38–58 Roman citizen. Founder of Novatianism. In opposition to Cornelius, Lucius I, Stephen I, and Sixtus II.
2225 June 253 –
5 March 254
(253 days)
St Lucius I
LUCIVS
Roma, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 5] Roman citizen. Feast day 5 March.
2312 March 254 –
2 August 257
(3 years, 143 days)
St Stephen I
STEPHANVS
Roma, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 5] Roman citizen of Greek descent ( Constitutio Antoniniana ). Martyred by beheading; feast day 2 August. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with the same feast day.
2431 August 257 –
6 August 258
(340 days)
St Sixtus II
XYSTVS Secundus
Athenae, Achaea, Roman Empire [birth 4] Roman citizen of Greek descent ( Constitutio Antoniniana ). Martyred by beheading; feast day 6 August. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with the same feast day.
2522 July 259 –
27 December 268
(9 years, 158 days)
St Dionysius
DIONYSIVS
Terra Nova, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 7] Roman citizen of Greek descent ( Constitutio Antoniniana ). Feast day 26 December.
265 January 269 –
30 December 274
(5 years, 359 days)
St Felix I
FELIX
Roma, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 5] Roman citizen. Feast day 30 December.
274 January 275 –
7 December 283
(8 years, 337 days)
St Eutychian
EVTYCHIANVS
Luna, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 14] Roman citizen. Feast day 8 December.
2817 December 283 –
22 April 296
(12 years, 127 days)
St Caius
CAIVS
Salona, Dalmatia, Roman Empire [birth 15] Roman citizen. Martyred by beheading (according to legend); feast day 22 April. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 11 August.
2930 June 296 –
25 October 304
(8 years, 117 days)
St Marcellinus
MARCELLINVS
Roma, Italia, Roman Empire [birth 5] Roman citizen. Feast day 26 April. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 7 June.

4th century

Popes of the 4th century
Pontiff
number
PontificateName: English
· Latin
Date and place of birthAge at start/
end
Notes
3027 May 308 –
16 January 309
(234 days)
St Marcellus I
MARCELLVS
Rome, Italy, Roman Empire Roman citizen. Banished from Rome by Emperor Maxentius (309) and died in exile; feast day 16 January.
3118 April 309 –
17 August 310
(1 year, 121 days)
St Eusebius
EVSEBIVS
Achaea, Roman Empire Roman citizen of Greek descent. Banished by Emperor Maxentius and died in exile; feast day 17 August.
322 July 311 –
10 January 314
(2 years, 192 days)
St Miltiades
(Melchiades)
MILTIADES
Africa, Roman Empire Roman citizen of Berber descent. Feast day 10 January. First pope after the end of the persecution of Christians through the Edict of Milan (313), issued by Emperor Constantine I. Presided over the Lateran Council of 313.
3331 January 314 –
31 December 335
(21 years, 334 days)
St Sylvester I
SILVESTER
Fanum Sancti Angeli de Scala, Apulia et Calabria, Roman Empire Roman citizen. Feast day 31 December. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 2 January. Pope during the First Council of Nicaea (325), the first ecumenical council. Under him were built: the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, the Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, and the Old St. Peter's Basilica. Stated to be the recipient of the Donation of Constantine, which was later shown to be a forgery.
3418 January 336 –
7 October 336
(263 days)
St Mark
MARCVS
Rome, Italy, Roman Empire Roman citizen. Feast day 7 October. Compiled stories of martyrs and bishops before his time. May have founded two churches in the area of Rome: Church of San Marco and a church at the Catacomb of Balbina, a cemetery.
356 February 337 –
12 April 352
(15 years, 66 days)
St Julius I
IVLIVS
Rome, Italy, Roman Empire Roman citizen. Feast day 12 April. He was involved in the Arian controversy, supporting Athanasius of Alexandria.
3617 May 352 –
24 September 366
(14 years, 130 days)
Liberius
LIBERIVS
Rome, Italy, Roman Empire Roman citizen. Banished by the Arian-leaning Emperor Constantius II and later yielding to him. Earliest pope not canonized by the Latin Church. Revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 27 August. [14]
355 –
22 November 365
(10 years, 0 days)
Felix II
FELIX Secundus
c. 300 Rome, Italy, Roman Empire55 / 65 Roman citizen. In opposition to Liberius. Installed by Arian-leaning Emperor Constantius II.
371 October 366 –
11 December 384
(18 years, 71 days)
St Damasus I
DAMASVS
c. 305 Egitania, Lusitania or Rome, Italy, Roman Empire60 / 78 Roman citizen. First pope from modern-day Portugal. Feast day 11 December. Patron of Jerome, commissioned the Vulgate translation of the Bible. Pope during the First Council of Constantinople (381), the second ecumenical council, and the Council of Rome (382). First pope to be the official head of the church after Emperor Gratian abdicated the title of Pontifex Maximus .
1 October 366 –
16 November 367
(1 year, 46 days)
Ursinus
VRSINVS
Rome, Italy, Roman Empire Roman citizen. In opposition to Damasus I. Banished to Gallia by Emperor Valentinian II after a war between two sects and died after 384.
3817 December 384 –
26 November 399
(14 years, 344 days)
St Siricius
SIRICIVS
c. 334 Rome, Italy, Roman Empire50 / 65 Roman citizen. Feast day 26 November. His famous letters—the earliest surviving texts of papal decretals—were focused particularly on religious discipline and include decisions on baptism, consecration, ordination, penance, and continence. Siricius's important decretal of 386 (written to Bishop Himerius of Tarragona), commanding celibacy for priests, was the first decree on this subject. [15]
3927 November 399 –
19 December 401
(2 years, 22 days)
St Anastasius I
ANASTASIVS
Rome, Italy, Roman Empire Roman citizen. Feast day 19 December. Instructed priests to stand and bow their heads as they read from the Gospels.

5th century

Popes of the 5th century
Pontiff
number
PontificateName: English
· Latin
Date and place of birthAge at start/
end
Notes
4021 December 401 –
12 March 417
(15 years, 81 days)
St Innocent I
INNOCENTIVS
Albanum, Latium et Campania, Roman Empire Roman citizen. Feast day 12 March. Rome was sacked by the Visigoths under King Alaric I (410).
4118 March 417 –
26 December 418
(1 year, 283 days)
St Zosimus
ZOSIMVS
Messurga, Lucania et Bruttii, Roman Empire Roman citizen of Greek descent. Feast day 27 December.
27 December 418 –
3 April 419
(97 days)
Eulalius
EVLALIVS
Rome, Italy, Roman Empire Roman citizen. In opposition to Boniface I. Elected on the eve of the election of Boniface, first benefited from the support of Emperor Honorius but lost it quickly. Exiled to Campania and died in 423.
4228 December 418 –
4 September 422
(3 years, 250 days)
St Boniface I
BONIFACIVS
Rome, Italy, Roman Empire Roman citizen. Feast day 25 October.
4310 September 422 –
27 July 432
(9 years, 321 days)
St Celestine I
CAELESTINVS
Campania, Roman Empire Roman citizen. Feast day 27 July. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 8 April. Pope during the Council of Ephesus (431), the third ecumenical council recognized by the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox churches.
4431 July 432 –
18 August 440
(8 years, 18 days)
St Sixtus III
XYSTVS Tertius
Rome, Italy, Roman Empire Roman citizen. Feast day 28 March.
4529 September 440 –
10 November 461
(21 years, 42 days)
St Leo I
"the Great"
LEO MAGNVS
Etruria, Italy, Roman Empire Roman citizen. Feast day 10 November. Convinced Attila the Hun to turn back his invasion of Italy. Convinced the Vandals to spare the lives of the citizenry of Rome during their sack of the city. Wrote the Tome, which was instrumental in the Council of Chalcedon (451) and in defining the hypostatic union. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 18 February.
4619 November 461 –
29 February 468
(6 years, 102 days)
St Hilarius
HILARIVS
Sardinia, Italy, Western Roman Empire Roman citizen. Feast day 28 February.
473 March 468 –
10 March 483
(15 years, 7 days)
St Simplicius
SIMPLICIVS
Tibur, Italy, Western Roman Empire Roman citizen, later a subject of the Kingdom of Italy. Feast day 10 March. Pope during the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and subsequent overtaking of Rome and Italy in general by King Odoacer.
4813 March 483 –
1 March 492
(8 years, 354 days)
St Felix III
FELIX Tertius
Rome, Italy, Western Roman Empire Roman citizen, later a subject of the Kingdom of Italy. Feast day 1 March. Sometimes called Felix II. Great-great-grandfather of Gregory I.
491 March 492 –
21 November 496
(4 years, 265 days)
St Gelasius I
GELASIVS
Mons Ferratus, Africa, Western Roman Empire Roman citizen of Berber descent, later a subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy; last pope to have been born on the continent of Africa. Feast day 21 November. First pope called the Vicarius Christi (Vicar of Christ). [16]
5024 November 496 –
19 November 498
(1 year, 360 days)
Anastasius II
ANASTASIVS Secundus
Rome, Italy, Western Roman Empire Roman citizen of Greek descent, later a subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy. Tried to end the Acacian schism, but it resulted in the Laurentian schism. Earliest pope not canonized by either the Latin Church or the Eastern Church.
5122 November 498 –
19 July 514
(15 years, 239 days)
St Symmachus
SYMMACHVS
Sardinia, Italy, Western Roman Empire Roman citizen, later a subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy. Feast day 19 July.
22 November 498 –
Aug 506/8
(7 years, 252 days)
Laurentius
LAVRENTIVS
Rome, Italy, Western Roman Empire Roman citizen, later a subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy. In opposition to Symmachus. Elected on the same day as Symachus, King Theodoric settled in favour of his adversary. Took control of Rome in 501 and remained pope in fact until he died in 506/08.

6th century

Popes of the 6th century
Pontiff
number
PontificatePortraitName: English
· Latin
Personal nameDate and place of birthAge at start/
end of papacy
Notes
5220 July 514 –
6 August 523
(9 years, 17 days)
St Hormisdas
HORMISDAS
Hormisdasc. 450 Frusino, Italy, Western Roman Empire64 / 73 Roman citizen, later a subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy. Feast day 6 August. Father of Silverius. Acacian schism.
5313 August 523 –
18 May 526
(2 years, 278 days)
St John I
IOANNES
Ioannes Sena Iulia, Italy, Western Roman Empire Roman citizen, later a subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy. Feast day 18 May.
5412 July 526 –
22 September 530
(4 years, 72 days)
Mosaic of Felix IV (III) in Santi Cosma e Damiano, Rome, Italy (527-530) (cropped).jpg St Felix IV
FELIX Quartus
Felixc. 490 Samnium, Odoacer's Kingdom of Italy 36 / 40Subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy of Roman descent. Feast day 30 January. Sometimes called Felix III. Built Santi Cosma e Damiano.
5522 September 530 –
17 October 532
(2 years, 25 days)
Boniface II
BONIFACIVS Secundus
BonifaciusOdoacer's Kingdom of Italy Ostrogoth; first Germanic pope. Subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy. Changed the method of numbering the years in the Julian calendar from Anno Martyrum to Anno Domini .
22 September 530 –
14 October 530
(22 days)
Dioscorus
DIOSCORVS
Dioscorus Alexandria, Aegyptus, Eastern Roman Empire (Eastern) Roman citizen of Greek descent. In opposition to Boniface II. Candidate of the Byzantine party, elected by the majority of the cardinals and recognized by Constantinople, died less than a month after his election.
562 January 533 –
8 May 535
(2 years, 126 days)
John II
IOANNES Secundus
Mercuriusc. 475 Rome, Western Roman Empire58 / 60 Roman citizen, later a subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy. First pope not to use his personal name (Mercurius), as it was associated with the Roman god Mercury.
5713 May 535 –
22 April 536
(356 days)
St Agapetus I
AGAPETVS
Agapetusc. 490 Rome, Odoacer's Kingdom of Italy45 / 46Subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy of Roman descent. Feast days 22 April and 20 September. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 17 April.
588 June 536 –
11 March 537
(276 days)
St Silverius
SILVERIVS
Silverius Cicanum, Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy Subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy of Roman descent. Exiled; feast day 20 June. Son of Hormisdas.
5929 March 537 –
7 June 555
(18 years, 70 days)
Vigilius
VIGILIVS
Vigiliusc. 497 Rome, Odoacer's Kingdom of Italy40 / 58Subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy, later a (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity. Pope during the Second Council of Constantinople (553), the fifth ecumenical council recognized by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
6016 April 556 –
4 March 561
(4 years, 322 days)
Pelagius I
PELAGIVS
Pelagiusc. 500 Rome, Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy56 / 61Subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy, later a (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity. Credited with the construction of the basilica of Santi Apostoli.
6117 July 561 –
13 July 574
(12 years, 361 days)
John III
IOANNES Tertius
CatelinusRome, Ostrogothic Kingdom of ItalySubject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy, later a (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity. Second pope not to use his personal name (Catelinus).
622 June 575 –
30 July 579
(4 years, 58 days)
Benedict I
BENEDICTVS
BenedictusRome, Ostrogothic Kingdom of ItalySubject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy, later a (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity.
6326 November 579 –
7 February 590
(10 years, 73 days)
Pelagius II
PELAGIVS Secundus
PelagiusRome, Ostrogothic Kingdom of ItalyRomanized Ostrogoth. Subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy, later a (Eastern) Roman citizen. Ordered the construction of the Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura.
643 September 590 –
12 March 604
(13 years, 191 days)
Mosaic of Gregorius I in Our Lady of Walsingham, Houston (590-604).jpg St Gregory I
"the Great"
GREGORIVS MAGNVS
Gregoriusc. 540 Rome, Eastern Roman Empire50 / 64Subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy, later a (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity. Feast day 3 September. Great-great-grandson of Felix III. First pope to employ the titles Pontifex Maximus and Servus servorum Dei formally. Established the Gregorian chant. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 12 March. Known as "the Father of Christian Worship". Known as "St. Gregory the Dialogist" in Eastern Orthodoxy.

7th century

Popes of the 7th century
Pontiff
number
PontificatePortraitName: English
· Latin
Personal nameDate and place of birthAge at start/
end of papacy
Notes
6513 September 604 –
22 February 606
(1 year, 162 days)
Sabinian
SABINIANVS
Sabinianusc. 530 Blera, Eastern Roman Empire74 / 76Subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy, later a (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity. For the next two centuries, the Roman popes were all controlled by the (Eastern) Roman Empire.
6619 February 607 –
12 November 607
(266 days)
Boniface III
BONIFACIVS Tertius
BonifaciusRome, Eastern Roman EmpireSubject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy, later a (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Greek descent.
6715 September 608 –
8 May 615
(6 years, 235 days)
St Boniface IV
BONIFACIVS Quartus
Bonifacius, O.S.B. c. 550 Marsica, Eastern Roman Empire58 / 65Subject of the (Ostrogothic) Kingdom of Italy, later a (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity. Feast day 8 May. Member of the Order of Saint Benedict. First pope to bear the same name as his immediate predecessor.
6813 November 615 –
8 November 618
(2 years, 360 days)
SCeau Deusdedit pape 17108.jpg St Adeodatus I
ADEODATVS
Adeodatus (or Deusdedit)Rome, Eastern Roman Empire (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity. Feast day 8 November. Sometimes called Deusdedit. First pope to use lead seals on papal documents, which in time came to be called papal bulls.
6923 December 619 –
25 October 625
(5 years, 306 days)
Boniface V
BONIFACIVS Quintus
Bonifacius Neapolis, Eastern Roman Empire (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity.
7027 October 625 –
12 October 638
(12 years, 350 days)
Pope Honorius I - Apse mosaic of Sant'Agnese fuori le mura - Rome (2016).jpg Honorius I
HONORIVS
Honorius Ceperanum, Campania, Eastern Roman Empire (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity. Named a heretic and anathematized by the Third Council of Constantinople (680).
7128 May 640 –
2 August 640
(66 days)
Severinus
SEVERINVS
Severinusc. 585 Rome, Eastern Roman Empire55 / 55 (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity.
7224 December 640 –
12 October 642
(1 year, 292 days)
John IV
IOANNES Quartus
Ioannesc. 585 Iadera, Dalmatia, Eastern Roman Empire53 / 55 (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity.
7324 November 642 –
14 May 649
(6 years, 171 days)
Theodore I
THEODORVS
Theodorus Hierosolyma, Eastern Roman Empire (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Greek ethnicity. Last pope from Palestine. Planned the Lateran Council of 649 but died before it could open.
745 July 649 –
16 September 655
(6 years, 73 days)
St Martin I
MARTINVS
Martinusc. 598 Near Tuder, Umbria, Eastern Roman Empire51 / 57 (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity. Last pope recognized as a martyr; feast day 12 November. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 14 April.
7510 August 654 –
2 June 657
(2 years, 296 days)
St Eugene I
EVGENIVS
Eugeniusc. 615 Rome, Exarchate of Ravenna, Eastern Roman Empire39 / 42 (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity. Feast day 2 June.
7630 July 657 –
27 January 672
(14 years, 181 days)
Bulle vitaliani 16976.jpg St Vitalian
VITALIANVS
Vitalianusc. 600 Signia, Exarchate of Ravenna, Eastern Roman Empire56 / 71 (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity. Feast day 27 January.
7711 April 672 –
17 June 676
(4 years, 67 days)
Adeodatus II
ADEODATVS Secundus
Adeodatus, O.S.B. c. 621 Rome, Exarchate of Ravenna, Eastern Roman Empire51 / 55 (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity. Member of the Order of Saint Benedict. Sometimes called Adeodatus, without a number, in reference to Adeodatus I sometimes being called Deusdedit.
782 November 676 –
11 April 678
(1 year, 160 days)
Donus
DONVS
DonusRome, Exarchate of Ravenna, Eastern Roman Empire (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity.
7927 June 678 –
10 January 681
(2 years, 197 days)
Pope Agatho (Menologion of Basil II) - cropped.jpg St Agatho
AGATHO
Agathoc. 577 Panormus, Sicily, Eastern Roman Empire101 / 104 (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Greek ethnicity. Feast day 10 January. Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 20 February. Pope during the Third Council of Constantinople (680), the sixth ecumenical council accepted by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
8017 August 682 –
3 July 683
(320 days)
St Leo II
LEO Secundus
Leoc. 611 Aydonum, Sicily, Eastern Roman Empire71 / 72 (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Greek ethnicity. Feast day 3 July.
8126 June 684 –
8 May 685
(316 days)
St Benedict II
BENEDICTVS Secundus
Benedictusc. 635 Rome, Exarchate of Ravenna, Eastern Roman Empire49 / 50 (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity. Feast day 7 May.
8223 July 685 –
2 August 686
(1 year, 10 days)
Rivista italiana di numismatica 1891 p 189.jpg John V
IOANNES Quintus
Ioannesc. 635 Antiochia, Syria, Eastern Roman Empire50 / 51 (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Greek ethnicity.
8321 October 686 –
21 September 687
(335 days)
Conon
CONON
Cononc. 630 Thracia, Eastern Roman Empire56 / 57 (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Greek ethnicity.
8415 December 687 –
8 September 701
(13 years, 267 days)
St Sergius I
SERGIVS
Sergiusc. 650 Palermo, Sicily, Eastern Roman Empire37 / 51 (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was a Hellenized Syrian. Introduced the singing of the Lamb of God at Mass. [16]

8th century

Popes of the 8th century
Pontiff
number
PontificatePortraitName: English
· Latin
Personal nameDate and place of birthAge at start/
end of papacy
Notes
8530 October 701 –
11 January 705
(3 years, 73 days)
John VI
IOANNES Sextus
Ioannesc. 655 Ephesus, Eastern Roman Empire46 / 50 (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Greek ethnicity. The only pope who came from Asia Minor.
861 March 705 –
18 October 707
(2 years, 231 days)
Byzantinischer Mosaizist um 705 002.jpg John VII
IOANNES Septimus
Ioannesc. 650 Rossanum, Calabria, Eastern Roman Empire55 / 57 (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Greek ethnicity. Second pope to bear the same name as his immediate predecessor.
8715 January 708 –
4 February 708
(20 days)
Sisinnius
SISINNIVS
Sisinnius Syria, Rashidun Caliphate Subject of the Rashidun Caliphate. Was of Syrian ethnicity.
8825 March 708 –
9 April 715
(7 years, 15 days)
Constantine
CONSTANTINVS
Constantinusc. 664 Tyre, Jund al-Urdunn, Syria, Umayyad Caliphate 44 / 51Subject of the Umayyad Caliphate. Was of Syrian ethnicity. Last pope to visit Greece while in office until John Paul II in 2001.
8919 May 715 –
11 February 731
(15 years, 268 days)
St Gregory II
GREGORIVS Secundus
Gregoriusc. 669 Rome, Exarchate of Ravenna, Eastern Roman Empire46 / 62 (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity. Feast day 11 February. Held the Synod of Rome (721).
9018 March 731 –
28 November 741
(10 years, 255 days)
178-7866 IMG - Gregorius III AV.png St Gregory III
GREGORIVS Tertius
GregoriusSyria, Umayyad CaliphateSubject of the Umayyad Caliphate; last pope from Syria. Third pope to come from a Muslim country. Last pope to have been born outside Europe until the election of Francis in 2013. Third pope to bear the same name as his immediate predecessor.
913 December 741 –
22 March 752
(10 years, 110 days)
Eta di papa Zaccaria, cappella del primicerius Teodoro, Madonna in trono con Theodoto e la moglie, 741-752 (09).jpg St Zachary
ZACHARIAS
Zachariasc. 679 Sancta Severina, Calabria, Eastern Roman Empire62 / 73 (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Greek ethnicity. Feast day 15 March. Built the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva.
23 March 752 –
26 March 752
(3 days)
(Never took office as pope)
Stephen (II)
STEPHANVS (Secundus)
StephanusRome, Exarchate of Ravenna, Eastern Roman Empire (Eastern) Roman citizen. Was of Roman ethnicity. Previously known as Stephen II. Died three days after his election, having never received episcopal consecration. Some lists still include him. The Vatican sanctioned his addition in the 16th century; removed in 1961. He is no longer considered a pope by the Catholic Church.
9226 March 752 –
26 April 757
(5 years, 31 days)
Stephen II
STEPHANVS Secundus
Stephanusc. 714 Rome, Exarchate of Ravenna, Eastern Roman Empire38 / 43 (Eastern) Roman citizen, later the sovereign of the independent Papal States. Was of Roman ethnicity. Sometimes called Stephen III. The Donation of Pepin. Brother of Paul I.
9329 May 757 –
28 June 767
(10 years, 30 days)
St Paul I
PAVLVS
Paulusc. 700 Rome, Exarchate of Ravenna, Eastern Roman Empire57 / 67 (Eastern) Roman citizen, later the sovereign of the independent Papal States. Was of Roman ethnicity. Brother of Stephen II.
947 August 768 –
24 January 772
(3 years, 170 days)
Stephen III
STEPHANVS Tertius
Stephanusc. 720 Syracuse, Sicily, Eastern Roman Empire48 / 52 (Eastern) Roman citizen, later the sovereign of the independent Papal States. Was of Greek ethnicity. Sometimes called Stephen IV. He summoned the Lateran Council of 769.
951 February 772 –
26 December 795
(23 years, 328 days)
Adrian I
HADRIANVS
Hadrianusc. 700 Rome, Exarchate of Ravenna, Eastern Roman Empire72 / 95 (Eastern) Roman citizen, later the sovereign of the independent Papal States. Was of Roman ethnicity. Pope during the Second Council of Nicaea (787), the seventh ecumenical council accepted by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
9626 December 795 –
12 June 816
(20 years, 169 days)
Pope Leo III portrait - Triclinium Leoninum.jpg St Leo III
LEO Tertius
LeoRome, Exarchate of Ravenna, Eastern Roman Empire (Eastern) Roman citizen, later the sovereign of the independent Papal States. Was of Roman ethnicity. Crowned Emperor Charlemagne on Christmas Day in 800, thereby initiating what would become the Holy Roman Empire, requiring the imprimatur of the pope for its rulers' legitimacy.

9th century

Popes of the 9th century
Pontiff
number
PontificatePortraitName: English
· Latin
Personal nameDate and place of birthAge at start/
end of papacy
Notes
9722 June 816 –
24 January 817
(216 days)
Stephen IV
STEPHANVS Quartus
StephanusRome, Papal States First pope born in Rome after breaking away from the (Eastern) Roman Empire. Sometimes called Stephen V.
9825 January 817 –
11 February 824
(7 years, 17 days)
Pope Paschalis I. in apsis mosaic of Santa Prassede in Rome.gif St Paschal I
PASCHALIS
PaschalisRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Son of Bonosus and Theodora. Credited with finding the body of Saint Cecilia in the Catacomb of Callixtus and building the basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere and the church of Santa Maria in Domnica.
996 June 824 –
27 August 827
(3 years, 111 days)
Eugene II
EVGENIVS Secundus
EugeniusRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
10031 August 827 –
10 October 827
(40 days)
Valentine
VALENTINVS
ValentinusRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
10120 December 827 –
25 January 844
(16 years, 36 days)
Gregory-IV (cropped).jpg Gregory IV
GREGORIVS Quartus
GregoriusRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Rebuilt the atrium of St. Peter's Basilica and in the newly decorated chapel. Transferred the body of Gregory I.
10225 January 844 –
27 January 847
(3 years, 2 days)
Sergius II
SERGIVS Secundus
SergiusRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
10310 April 847 –
17 July 855
(8 years, 98 days)
PopeLeoIV (cropped).jpg St Leo IV
LEO Quartus
Leo, O.S.B. Rome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Was of Lombard ethnicity. Member of the Order of Saint Benedict.
10429 September 855 –
17 April 858
(2 years, 200 days)
Benedict III
BENEDICTVS Tertius
BenedictusRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
10524 April 858 –
13 November 867
(9 years, 203 days)
St Nicholas I
"the Great"
NICOLAVS MAGNVS
Nicolausc. 800 Rome, Papal States58 / 67Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Feast day 13 November. Encouraged missionary activity.
10614 December 867 –
14 December 872
(5 years, 0 days)
Adrian II
HADRIANVS Secundus
Hadrianusc. 792 Rome, Papal States75 / 80Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Pope during the Fourth Council of Constantinople (869–870), the eighth ecumenical council of the Catholic Church.
10714 December 872 –
16 December 882
(10 years, 2 days)
Jan-VIII.jpg John VIII
IOANNES Octavus
IoannesRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. First pope to be assassinated.
10816 December 882 –
15 May 884
(1 year, 151 days)
Marinus I
MARINVS
Marinusc. 830 Gallese, Papal States52 / 54Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Erroneously also known as Martin II.
10917 May 884 –
8 July 885
(1 year, 121 days)
St Adrian III
HADRIANVS Tertius
HadrianusRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Feast day 8 July. Adrian I was possibly his ancestor.
110September 885 –
14 September 891
(5 years, 355 days)
Stephen V
STEPHANVS Quintus
StephanusRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Sometimes called Stephen VI.
1116 October 891 –
4 April 896
(4 years, 181 days)
Formosus
FORMOSVS
Formosusc. 816 Ostia, Papal States75 / 80Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Posthumously tried and executed by Stephen VI in January 897 at the Cadaver Synod. His body was reburied with full Christian honours in the late 897.
11211 April 896 –
26 April 896
(15 days)
Boniface VI
BONIFATIVS Sextus
BonifatiusRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
11322 May 896 –
14 August 897
(1 year, 84 days)
Stephen VI
STEPHANVS
StephanusRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Sometimes called Stephen VII. Held the infamous Cadaver Synod.
11414 August 897 –
November 897
(92 days)
Romanus
ROMANVS
RomanusGallese, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
115December 897 –
20 December 897
(19 days)
Theodore II
THEODORVS Secundus
Theodorusc. 840 Rome, Papal States57 / 57Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Was of Greek ethnicity.
11618 January 898 –
5 January 900
(1 year, 352 days)
John IX
IOANNES Nonus
Ioannes, O.S.B. c. 825 Tivoli, Papal States73 / 75Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Was of Lombard ethnicity. Member of the Order of Saint Benedict.
1171 February 900 –
30 July 903
(3 years, 179 days)
Zecca di roma, denaro di benedetto IV con ludovico III imperatore, 901-903, in argento (bibl. apostolica vaticana) mano.jpg Benedict IV
BENEDICTVS Quartus
Benedictusc. 840 Rome, Papal States60 / 63Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.

10th century

Popes of the 10th century
Pontiff
number
PontificatePortraitName: English
· Latin
Personal nameDate and place of birthAge at start/
end of papacy
Notes
11830 July 903 –
December 903
(124 days)
Leo V
LEO Quintus
Leo Ardea, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Deposed and murdered.
October 903 –
January 904
(92 days)
Christopher
CHRISTOFORVS
ChristoforusRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. In opposition to Leo V.
11929 January 904 –
14 April 911
(7 years, 75 days)
Sergius III
SERGIVS Tertius
Sergiusc. 860 Rome, Papal States44 / 51Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Saeculum obscurum began. First pope to be depicted with the papal tiara.
12014 April 911 –
June 913
(2 years, 48 days)
Stato della chiesa, denaro di anastasio III, 911-913.JPG Anastasius III
ANASTASIVS Tertius
Anastasiusc. 865 Rome, Papal States46 / 48Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
1217 July 913 –
5 February 914
(213 days)
Lando
LANDO
Lando Sabina, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Last to use a new and non-composed regnal name until Francis (2013–2025).
122March 914 –
28 May 928
(14 years, 88 days)
John X
IOANNES Decimus
Ioannes Tossignano, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
12328 May 928 –
February 929
(249 days)
Leo VI
LEO Sextus
Leoc. 880 Rome, Papal States48 / 40Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
1243 February 929 –
13 February 931
(2 years, 10 days)
Stephen VII
STEPHANVS Septimus
Stephanus de GabrielliRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Sometimes called Stephen VIII.
12515 March 931 –
December 935
(4 years, 261 days)
John XI
IOANNES Undecimus
Ioannesc. 910 Rome, Papal States21 / 25Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Probably, according to the Liber Pontificalis and Liutprand of Cremona, the son of Sergius III, who was Marozia's husband, and not of Alberic I of Spoleto.
1263 January 936 –
13 July 939
(3 years, 191 days)
Leo VII
LEO Septimus
Leo, O.S.B. Rome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Member of the Order of Saint Benedict.
12714 July 939 –
30 October 942
(3 years, 108 days)
Stephen VIII
STEPHANVS Octavus
StephanusRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Sometimes called Stephen IX.
12830 October 942 –
1 May 946
(3 years, 183 days)
Marinus II
MARINVS Secundus
MarinusRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Erroneously also known as Martin III.
12910 May 946 –
8 November 955
(9 years, 182 days)
Orazio samacchini, Ottone I restituisce i territori della Chiesa a papa Agapito II, 1564-65, 03 (Papa Agapito II).jpg Agapetus II
AGAPETVS Secundus
Agapetusc. 911 Rome, Papal States35 / 44Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
13016 December 955 –
6 December 963
(7 years, 355 days)
Otto I begegnet Papst Johannes XII (cropped).jpg John XII
IOANNES Duodecimus
Ottavianoc. 930–37 Rome, Papal States18–25 / 26–33 (†27–34)Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Third pope not to use his personal name (Ottaviano). Crowned Emperor Otto I in 962. Deposed in 963 by Emperor Otto I invalidly.
6 December 963 –
26 February 964
(82 days)
Leo VIII
LEO Octavus
Leoc. 915 Rome, Papal States48 / 49 (†50)Subject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. Appointed antipope by Emperor Otto I in 963 in opposition to John XII and Benedict V. His pontificate from 963 to 964 is considered illegitimate by today's Catholic Church.
13026 February 964 –
14 May 964
(78 days)
Otto I begegnet Papst Johannes XII (cropped).jpg John XII
IOANNES Duodecimus
Ottavianoc. 930–37 Rome, Papal States27–34 / 27–34Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Possibly murdered in 964. End of the Saeculum obscurum .
13122 May 964 –
23 June 964
(32 days)
Scherbe vom Grab Benedikt V (cropped).jpg Benedict V
BENEDICTVS Quintus
BenedettoRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Elected by the people of Rome in opposition to Leo VIII, who was appointed by Emperor Otto I. Accepted his deposition in favour of Leo VIII in 964.
13223 June 964 –
1 March 965
(251 days)
Leo VIII
LEO Octavus
Leoc. 915 Rome, Papal States49 / 50Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. His pontificate after the deposition of Benedict V is considered legitimate by today's Catholic Church.
1331 October 965 –
6 September 972
(6 years, 341 days)
John XIII
IOANNES Tertius Decimus
Giovanni dei Crescenzi Rome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Chronicled after his death as "the Good".
13419 January 973 –
8 June 974
(1 year, 140 days)
Benedict VI
BENEDICTVS Sextus
BenedettoRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Was of Lombard ethnicity. Deposed and murdered.
July 974 –
July 974
(30 days)
Boniface VII
BONIFATIVS Septimus
Francone FerucciRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States, born Francone Ferucci. In opposition to Benedict VI and Benedict VII.
135October 974 –
10 July 983
(8 years, 282 days)
Benedict VII
BENEDICTVS Septimus
BenedettoRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
136December 983 –
20 August 984
(263 days)
John XIV
IOANNES Quartus Decimus
Pietro Canepanova Pavia, Kingdom of Italy Subject of the Kingdom of Italy. Fourth pope not to use his personal name (Pietro Canepanova).
20 August 984 –
20 July 985
(334 days)
Boniface VII
BONIFATIVS Septimus
Francone FerucciRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. In opposition to John XIV and John XV.
13720 August 985 –
1 April 996
(10 years, 225 days)
John XV
IOANNES Quintus Decimus
Giovanni di Gallina AlbaRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. First pope to formally canonize a saint.
1383 May 996 –
18 February 999
(2 years, 291 days)
Gregory V
GREGORIVS Quintus
Bruno von Kärntenc. 972 Stainach, Duchy of Carinthia 24 / 27Subject of the Duchy of Carinthia. First official German pope. Fifth pope not to use his personal name (Bruno). Henceforth, this decision became tradition among the future popes.
April 997 –
February 998
(306 days)
John XVI
IOANNES Sextus Decimus
Iōánnēs Philágathos, O.S.B. c. 945 Rossanum, Calabria, Italy, Eastern Roman Empire52 / 53 (†56) (Eastern) Roman citizen. In opposition to Gregory V.
1392 April 999 –
12 May 1003
(4 years, 40 days)
Meister der Reichenauer Schule 002 (cropped).jpg Sylvester II
SILVESTER Secundus
Gerbert d'Aurillac, O.S.B. c. 945 Belliac, Kingdom of the West Franks 53 / 57Subject of the Kingdom of the West Franks (later renamed Kingdom of France). First French (Occitan) pope. Member of the Order of Saint Benedict.

2nd millennium

11th century

Popes of the 11th century
Pontiff
number
PontificatePortraitName: English
· Latin
Personal nameDate and place of birthAge at start/
end of papacy
Notes
14016 May 1003 –
6 November 1003
(174 days)
John XVII
IOANNES Septimus Decimus
Giovanni Siccoc. 955 Rome, Papal States48 / 48Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
14125 December 1003 –
18 July 1009
(5 years, 205 days)
John XVIII
IOANNES Duodevicesimus
Giovanni Fasanoc. 965 Rapagnano,
Papal States
43 / 49Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. First pope born after the Papal States became a state of the Holy Roman Empire in 962.
14231 July 1009 –
12 May 1012
(2 years, 286 days)
Sergius IV
SERGIVS Quartus
Pietro Martino Boccadiporco, O.S.B. c. 970 Rome, Papal States39 / 42Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Member of the Order of Saint Benedict.
12 June 1012 –
31 December 1012
(202 days)
Gregory VI
GREGORIVS Sextus
GregorioRome, Papal StatesSubject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. In opposition to Benedict VIII. Expelled from Rome and deposed.
14318 May 1012 –
9 April 1024
(11 years, 327 days)
Benedict VIII
BENEDICTVS Octavus
Teofilatto di Tuscolo c. 980 Rome, Papal States32 / 44Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Brother of John XIX.
14414 May 1024 –
6 October 1032
(8 years, 145 days)
Bari Exultet roll 1 - emperors and pope (pope1) (cropped).jpg John XIX
IOANNES Undevicesimus
Romano di Tuscolo c. 975 Rome, Papal States49 / 57Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Brother of Benedict VIII.
14521 October 1032 –
31 December 1044
(12 years, 71 days)
Benedict IX
BENEDICTVS Nonus
Teofilatto di Tuscolo c. 1012 Rome, Papal States20 / 32 (†43)Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. First term; youngest person to have been pope.
14613 January 1045 –
10 March 1045
(56 days)
Sylvester III
SILVESTER Tertius
Giovanni dei Crescenzi-Ottavianic. 1000 Rome, Papal States45 / 45 (†63)Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Validity of his election questioned; deposed at the Council of Sutri.
14710 March 1045 –
1 May 1045
(52 days)
Benedict IX
BENEDICTVS Nonus
Teofilatto di Tuscolo c. 1012 Rome, Papal States33 / 33 (†43)Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Second term; deposed at the Council of Sutri.
1481 May 1045 –
20 December 1046
(1 year, 233 days)
Gregory VI
GREGORIVS Sextus
Giovanni Graziano Pierleoni c. 1000 Rome, Papal States45 / 46 (†48)Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Deposed at the Council of Sutri.
14924 December 1046 –
9 October 1047
(289 days)
Clement II
CLEMENS Secundus
Suidger von Morsleben-Hornburgc. 967 Hornburg, Duchy of Saxony 79 / 80Subject of the Duchy of Saxony. Appointed by King Henry III at the Council of Sutri; crowned Emperor Henry III in 1046.
1508 November 1047 –
17 July 1048
(252 days)
Benedict IX
BENEDICTVS Nonus
Teofilatto di Tuscolo c. 1012 Rome, Papal States35 / 36 (†43)Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Third term; deposed and excommunicated.
15117 July 1048 –
9 August 1048
(23 days)
Damasus II
DAMASVS Secundus
Poppo von Brixenc. 1000 Pildenau, Duchy of Bavaria 48 / 48Subject of the Duchy of Bavaria.
15212 February 1049 –
19 April 1054
(5 years, 66 days)
Leon IX (crop).jpg St Leo IX
LEO Nonus
Bruno von Egisheim-Dagsburg21 July 1002 Eguisheim, Duchy of Swabia 47 / 51Subject of the Duchy of Swabia. In 1054, the mutual excommunications of Leo IX's legate, cardinal Humbert of Silva Candida, and Patriarch Michael I Cerularius of Constantinople started the East–West Schism. The mutual anathematizations were rescinded by Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I in 1964. [17]
15313 April 1055 –
28 July 1057
(2 years, 106 days)
Gebhard I Bischof von Eichstatt, als Victor II Papst.JPG Victor II
VICTOR Secundus
Gebhard von Dollnstein-Hirschbergc. 1018 Duchy of Swabia 37 / 39Subject of the Duchy of Swabia.
1542 August 1057 –
29 March 1058
(239 days)
Stephen IX
STEPHANVS Nonus
Friedrich Gozzelon von Lothringen, O.S.B. c. 1020 Duchy of Lorraine 37 / 38Subject of the Duchy of Lorraine. Last German pope until Benedict XVI (2005–2013). Sometimes called Stephen X. Member of the Order of Saint Benedict.
4 April 1058 –
24 January 1059
(295 days)
Benedict X
BENEDICTVS Decimus
Giovanni Mincio di Tuscolo Rome, Papal StatesSubject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. In opposition to Nicholas II. Captured and deposed.
1556 December 1058 –
27 July 1061
(2 years, 233 days)
Robert Guiscard claimed as a Duke (Detail of Nicholas II).jpg Nicholas II
NICOLAVS Secundus
Gerald de Bourgognec. 980 Château de Chevron, County of Savoy 78 / 81Subject of the County of Savoy. Was of French ethnicity. Designated the College of Cardinals as the sole body of pope electors in the bull In nomine Domini (1059).
30 September 1061
1072
(10 years, 185 days)
Honorius II
HONORIVS Secundus
Pietro Cadalo1010 Verona, March of Verona 61 / 72Subject of the March of Verona. In opposition to Alexander II.
156 30 September 1061
21 April 1073
(11 years, 203 days)
Alexander II
ALEXANDER Secundus
Anselmo da Baggioc. 1018 Baggio, Free Commune of Milan 46 / 58Citizen of the Free Commune of Milan. Authorized the Norman conquest of England.
157 22 April 1073
25 May 1085
(12 years, 33 days)
Gregorius (Vita Gregorii VII).jpg St Gregory VII
GREGORIVS Septimus
Ildebrando di Soana, O.S.B. c. 1015 Sovana, March of Tuscany 48 / 60Subject of the March of Tuscany. Was of Lombard ethnicity. Initiated the Gregorian Reforms. Restricted the use of the papal title to the bishop of Rome. [6] Member of the Order of Saint Benedict. Political struggle with Emperor Henry IV, who had to go to Canossa (1077).
25 June 1080 –
8 September 1100
(20 years, 75 days)
Clemente III, antipapa (cropped).jpg Clement III
CLEMENS Tertius
Guibert of Ravenna1029 Ravenna, Papal States51 / 71Subject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. In opposition to Gregory VII, Victor III, Urban II, and Paschal II.
158 24 May 1086
16 September 1087
(1 year, 115 days)
Victor III. - Desiderius of Montecassino (cropped).jpg Bl. Victor III
VICTOR Tertius
Desiderio da Montecassino, O.S.B. c. 1026 Benevento, Duchy of Benevento 60 / 61Subject of the Duchy of Benevento. Was of Lombard ethnicity. Member of the Order of Saint Benedict. Called the Synod of Benevento (1087), condemning lay investiture.
159 12 March 1088
29 July 1099
(11 years, 139 days)
Urbano II in consacrazione de l'altare del monastero di Cluny (detail) (crop).png Bl. Urban II
VRBANVS Secundus
Odon de Lagery, O.S.B. c. 1042 Châtillon-sur-Marne, County of Champagne, Kingdom of France 46 / 57Subject of the Kingdom of France. Preached and started the First Crusade. Member of the Order of Saint Benedict.
160 13 August 1099
21 January 1118
(18 years, 161 days)
Pope Paschal-II 1107.jpg Paschal II
PASCHALIS Secundus
Raniero di Bleda, O.S.B. c. 1050 Bleda, March of Tuscany 49 / 68Subject of the March of Tuscany. Was of Lombard ethnicity. Member of the Order of Saint Benedict. Ordered the building of the basilica of Santi Quattro Coronati.
8 September 1100 –
January 1101
(115 days)
Theodoric
THEODORICVS
Teodoricoc. 1030 Rome, Papal States70 / 71Subject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. Was of Lombard ethnicity. In opposition to Paschal II. Captured and sent to a monastery.

12th century

Popes of the 12th century
Pontiff
number
PontificatePortraitName: English
· Latin
Personal nameDate and place of birthAge at start/
end of papacy
Notes
January 1101 –
February 1102
(1 year, 31 days)
Adalbert
ADALBERTVS
Adalberto, O.S.B. Rome, Papal StatesSubject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. Was of Lombard ethnicity. In opposition to Paschal II. Captured and imprisoned.
8 November 1105 –
11 April 1111
(5 years, 154 days)
Sylvester IV
SILVESTER Quartus
Maguinulf1050 Rome, Papal States49 / 55 (†56)Subject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. Was of German ethnicity. In opposition to Paschal II. Forced to abdicate.
161 24 January 1118
29 January 1119
(1 year, 5 days)
Gelasius-II.jpg Gelasius II
GELASIVS Secundus
Giovanni Caetani, O.S.B. c. 1061 Gaeta, Duchy of Gaeta 57 / 58Subject of the Duchy of Gaeta. Member of the Order of Saint Benedict.
10 March 1118 –
20 April 1121
(3 years, 41 days)
Gregory VIII
GREGORIVS Octavus
Maurice Baurdainc. 1060 Limousin, Occitania, Kingdom of France58 / 61 (†77)Subject of the Kingdom of France. Was of Occitan ethnicity. In opposition to Gelasius II and Callixtus II. Captured and imprisoned.
162 2 February 1119
13 December 1124
(5 years, 315 days)
Calixtus II.jpg Callixtus II
CALLISTVS Secundus
Gui de Bourgognec. 1060 Quingey, County of Burgundy 59 / 64Subject of the County of Burgundy. Was of French ethnicity. Convened the First Council of the Lateran (1123).
16 December 1124
17 December 1124
(1 day)
Celestine II
COELESTINVS Secundus
Teobaldo Boccapeci1050 Rome, Papal States74 / 74 (†76)Subject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. In opposition to Honorius II. Abdicated one day after his election.
163 21 December 1124
13 February 1130
(5 years, 54 days)
Honorius II
HONORIVS Secundus
Lamberto Scannabecchi da Fiagnano, Can.Reg. 9 February 1060 Fiagnano, Papal States64 / 70Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Canon Regular of the Lateran. Approved the Knights Templar as a military order (1128).
164 14 February 1130
24 September 1143
(13 years, 222 days)
Pope Innocent II - Santa Maria in Trastevere.jpg Innocent II
INNOCENTIVS Secundus
Gregorio Papareschi, Can.Reg. c. 1082 Rome, Papal States48 / 61Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Canon Regular of the Lateran. Convened the Second Council of the Lateran (1139).
14 February 1130
25 January 1138
(7 years, 345 days)
Anacletus II
ANACLETVS Secundus
Pietro Pierleoni, O.S.B. 1090 Rome, Papal States40 / 48Subject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. In opposition to Innocent II.
15 March 1138 –
29 May 1138
(75 days)
Victor IV
VICTOR Quartus
Gregorio Conti Rome, Papal StatesSubject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. In opposition to Innocent II.
165 26 September 1143
8 March 1144
(164 days)
Pope Celestine, St William and an unidentified Prelate, East Window, York Minster.jpg Celestine II
COELESTINVS Secundus
Guido Guelfuccio di Castelloc. 1085 Città di Castello, Papal States58 / 59Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
166 12 March 1144
15 February 1145
(340 days)
Lucius II
LUCIVS Secundus
Gherardo Caccianemici dall'Orso, Can.Reg. c. 1079 Bologna, Papal States65 / 66Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Canon Regular of San Frediano.
167 15 February 1145
8 July 1153
(8 years, 143 days)
Consecration par EUgene III (Cropped).jpg Bl. Eugene III
EVGENIVS Tertius
Bernardo Pignatelli, O.Cist. [18] c. 1080 Pisa, Republic of Pisa 65 / 73Citizen of the Republic of Pisa. Member of the Order of Cistercians. Announced the Second Crusade.
168 12 July 1153
3 December 1154
(1 year, 144 days)
Anastasius IV
ANASTASIVS Quartus
Corrado Demetri della Suburrac. 1073 Rome, Papal States80 / 81Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
169 4 December 1154
1 September 1159
(4 years, 271 days)
Adrian IV, servus servorum dei (cropped).png Adrian IV
HADRIANVS Quartus
Nicholas Breakspear, Can.Reg. c. 1100 Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire, Kingdom of England 54 / 59Subject of the Kingdom of England. The only English (Anglo-Saxon) pope; purportedly granted Ireland to King Henry II of England. Canon Regular of Saint-Ruf monastery.
170 7 September 1159
30 August 1181
(21 years, 357 days)
Becket bids farewell to the Pope - Becket Leaves (c.1220-1240), f. 1v - BL Loan MS 88 (cropped).jpg Alexander III
ALEXANDER Tertius
Rolando Bandinellic. 1100 Siena, March of Tuscany59 / 81Subject of the March of Tuscany. Convened the Third Council of the Lateran (1179).
7 September 1159
20 April 1164
(4 years, 226 days)
Victor IV
VICTOR Quartus
Ottaviano dei Crescenzi Ottaviani di Monticelli1095 Rome, Papal States64 / 69Subject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. In opposition to Alexander III.
28 April 1164 –
22 September 1168
(4 years, 147 days)
Paschal III
PASCHALIS Tertius
Guido di Crema1110 Rome, Papal States54 / 58Subject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. In opposition to Alexander III.
30 September 1168 –
29 August 1178
(9 years, 333 days)
Callixtus III
CALLIXTVS Tertius
Giovanni di Struma, O.S.B. 1090 Rome, Papal States78 / 88Subject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. In opposition to Alexander III.
29 September 1179 –
January 1180
(124 days)
Innocent III
INNOCENTIVS Tertius
Lando (or Lanzo) di Sezze1120 Sezze, Papal States59 / 60 (†63)Subject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. In opposition to Alexander III. Captured and imprisoned in 1180.
171 1 September 1181
25 November 1185
(4 years, 85 days)
Lucius-III.jpg Lucius III
LUCIVS Tertius
Ubaldo Allucignolic. 1100 Lucca, March of Tuscany81 / 85Subject of the March of Tuscany.
172 25 November 1185
20 October 1187
(1 year, 329 days)
Urban2 lat.jpg Urban III
VRBANVS Tertius
Uberto Crivellic. 1120 Cuggiono, small town closer to the Free Commune of Milan 65 / 67Was of Italian ethnicity. In the 21st century, Cuggiono is a small Italian town and comune in the Metropolitan City of Milan.
173 21 October 1187
17 December 1187
(57 days)
Gregory VIII
GREGORIVS Octavus
Alberto di Morra, O.Praem. c. 1100 Benevento, Papal States87 / 87Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Canon Regular Premonstratense. Proposed the Third Crusade.
174 19 December 1187
20 March 1191 [19]
(3 years, 91 days)
SpeculumGrandmontis (Pope Clement III).jpg Clement III
CLEMENS Tertius
Paolo Scolaric. 1130 Rome, Papal States57 / 61Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
175
C o a Nicolaus III.svg
30 March 1191
8 January 1198
(6 years, 284 days)
Coelestin III (cropped 2).png Celestine III
COELESTINVS Tertius
Giacinto Bobone Orsini c. 1105 Rome, Papal States86 / 93Motto: Perfice gressus meos in semitis Tuis("Going in Thy path")

Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Confirmed the statutes of the Teutonic Knights as a military order.

176
C o a popes Conti di Segni.svg
8 January 1198
16 July 1216
(18 years, 190 days)
Pope Innocent III (Monastery of Subiaco).jpg Innocent III
INNOCENTIVS Tertius
Lotario dei Conti di Segni c. 1161 Gavignano, Papal States37 / 55Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Convened the Fourth Council of the Lateran (1215). Initiated the Fourth Crusade but later distanced himself from it and threatened its participants with excommunication when its leadership abandoned their focus on conquest of the Holy Land and instead decided to sack Christian cities. [20] Endorsed the Franciscan Order.

13th century

Popes of the 13th century
Pontiff
number
PontificatePortraitName: English
· Latin
Personal nameDate and place of birthAge at start/
end of papacy
Notes
177
C o a Savelli Popes.svg
18 July 1216
18 March 1227
(10 years, 243 days)
Vad-0321 025 Honorius III (cropped).jpg Honorius III
HONORIVS
Tertius
Cencio Savelli c. 1150 Rome, Papal States66 / 77Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Initiated the Fifth Crusade. Approved several religious and tertiary orders.
178
C o a popes Conti di Segni.svg
19 March 1227
22 August 1241
(14 years, 156 days)
Gregory IX (cropped).jpg Gregory IX
GREGORIVS Nonus
Ugolino dei Conti di Segni c. 1145 Anagni, Papal States82 / 96Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Initiated the inquisition in France and endorsed the Northern Crusades.
179
C o a Celestinus IV.svg
25 October 1241
10 November 1241
(16 days)
Celestine IV
COELESTINVS Quartus
Goffredo Castiglionic. 1180 Free Commune of Milan (city-state)61 / 61Citizen of the Free Commune of Milan. Died before coronation.
180
C o a Fieschi Popes.svg
25 June 1243
7 December 1254
(11 years, 165 days)
The Council of Lyons excommunicating Frederic II (cropped).png Innocent IV
INNOCENTIVS Quartus
Sinibaldo Fieschi c. 1195 Genoa, Republic of Genoa 48 / 60Citizen of the Republic of Genoa. Convened the First Council of Lyon (1245). Issued the bull Ad extirpanda (1252), permitting the torture of heretics.
181
C o a popes Conti di Segni.svg
12 December 1254
25 May 1261
(6 years, 164 days)
Alexander IV
ALEXANDER Quartus
Rinaldo dei Conti di Segni c. 1199 Jenne, Papal States55 / 62Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. First pope born after the Papal States ceased to be a state of the Holy Roman Empire in 1177. Restored the papal inquisition in France.
182
C o a Urbanus IV.svg
29 August 1261
2 October 1264
(3 years, 34 days)
Taddeo di bartolo, s. tommaso d'aquino presenta la sua liturgia del corpus christi a urbano IV, 1403 ca. (cropped) (cropped).JPG Urban IV
VRBANVS Quartus
Jacques Pantaléonc. 1195 Troyes, County of Champagne, Kingdom of France66 / 69Subject of the Kingdom of France. Instituted the feast of Corpus Christi (1264).
183
C o a Clemens IV.svg
5 February 1265
29 November 1268
(3 years, 298 days)
Tour Ferrande - Clement IV & Charles 1er de Sicile (cropped).JPG Clement IV
CLEMENS
Quartus
Gui Foucois23 November 1190 Saint-Gilles, Languedoc, Kingdom of France62 / 66Subject of the Kingdom of France.
29 November 1268 –
1 September 1271
(2 years, 276 days)
Sede vacante.svg Interregnum Almost three-year period without a valid pope elected. This was due to a deadlock among cardinals voting for the pope.
184
C o a Gregorius X.svg
1 September 1271
10 January 1276
(4 years, 131 days)
Gregory X, Buffalmacco, Arezzo Cathedral.jpg Bl. Gregory X
GREGORIVS Decimus
Teobaldo Visconti c. 1210 Free Commune of Piacenza (city-state)61 / 66Citizen of the Free Commune of Piacenza. Convened the Second Council of Lyon and issued the bull Ubi periculum (1274), regulating conclaves until the 20th century.
185
C o a Innocentius V.svg
21 January 1276
22 June 1276
(153 days)
InnocenzoV.jpg Bl. Innocent V
INNOCENTIVS Quintus
Pierre de Tarentaise, O.P. c. 1225 County of Savoy 52 / 52Subject of the County of Savoy. Was of French ethnicity. Member of the Dominican Order. First pope elected in a conclave.
186
C o a Fieschi Popes.svg
11 July 1276
18 August 1276
(38 days)
A20 ADRIANO V.jpg Adrian V
HADRIANVS Quintus
Ottobuono Fieschi c. 1216 Genoa, Republic of Genoa60 / 60Citizen of the Republic of Genoa. Annulled Gregory X's Ubi periculum regarding the regulations of conclaves.
187
C o a Johannes XXI.svg
8 September 1276
20 May 1277
(254 days)
Andrea di bonaiuto, apotesosi di san tommaso d'aquino, scienze ed arti 12 Dialettica e Pietro Ispano 3.JPG John XXI
IOANNES Vicesimus Primus
Pedro Juliãoc. 1215 Lisbon, Kingdom of Portugal 61 / 62Subject of the Kingdom of Portugal. Due to a confusion over the numbering of popes named John in the 13th century, the ordinal XX was skipped.
188
C o a Nicolaus III.svg
25 November 1277
22 August 1280
(2 years, 271 days)
Scuola romana, affreschi del sancta sanctorum, 1280 ca., Niccolo III dona la chiesa ai ss. pietro e paolo 03 (cropped) (cropped).jpg Nicholas III
NICOLAVS
Tertius
Giovanni Gaetano Orsini c. 1216 Rome, Papal States61 / 64Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
189
C o a Martinus IV.svg
22 February 1281
28 March 1285
(4 years, 34 days)
Louis9 Canonization (cropped).jpg Martin IV
MARTINVS Quartus
Simon de Brionc. 1210 Meinpicien, Touraine, Kingdom of France71 / 75Subject of the Kingdom of France. Sicilian Vespers; ordered the Aragonese Crusade.
190
C o a Savelli Popes.svg
2 April 1285
3 April 1287
(2 years, 1 day)
Honorius IV
HONORIVS Quartus
Giacomo Savelli c. 1210 Rome, Papal States75 / 77Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States.
191
C o a Nicolaus IV.svg
22 February 1288
4 April 1292
(4 years, 42 days)
Pope Nicholas-IV.jpg Nicholas IV
NICOLAVS Quartus
Girolamo Masci, O.F.M. 30 September 1227 Lisciano, Papal States60 / 64Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Member of the Franciscan Order.
4 April 1292 –
5 July 1294
(2 years, 92 days)
Sede vacante.svg Interregnum Two-year period without a valid pope elected. This was due to a deadlock among cardinals voting for the pope.
192
C o a Celestinus V.svg
5 July 1294
13 December 1294
(161 days)
Celestine V Castel Nuovo Napoli n02.jpg St Celestine V
COELESTINVS Quintus
Pietro Angelerio da Morrone, O.S.B. c. 1215 Sant'Angelo Limosano, Kingdom of Sicily 79 / 79 (†81)Subject of the Kingdom of Sicily. Member of the Order of Saint Benedict. Founded the Celestines. Reinstituted the rules of Ubi periculum. Last pope to abdicate on his own initiative until Benedict XVI (2013). Imprisoned and rumoured to have been murdered by order of Boniface VIII to prevent his potential election and installation as antipope.
193
C o a Bonifacius VIII.svg
24 December 1294
11 October 1303
(8 years, 291 days)
Giotto - Bonifatius VIII (cropped).jpg Boniface VIII
BONIFATIVS Octavus
Benedetto Caetani c. 1230 Anagni, Papal States64 / 73Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Incorporated Ubi periculum into the canon law (1298). Formalized the jubilee (1300). Issued the bull Unam sanctam (1302), proclaiming papal supremacy and pushing it to its highest historical extreme.

14th century

Popes of the 14th century
Pontiff
number
PontificatePortraitName: English
· Latin
Personal nameDate and place of birthAge at start/
end of papacy
Notes
194
C o a Benedictus XI.svg
22 October 1303
7 July 1304
(259 days)
39 Benedetto XI (cropped).jpg Bl. Benedict XI
BENEDICTVS Undecimus
Niccolò Boccasini, O.P. c. 1240 Treviso, Papal States63 / 64Motto: Illustra faciem Tuam super servum Tuum("Let Your face shine upon Your servant")

Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Member of the Dominican Order. Reverted Boniface VIII's Unam sanctam.

195
C o a Clemens V.svg
5 June 1305
20 April 1314
(8 years, 319 days)
Clemente V cappellone degli Spagnoli (cropped).JPG Clement V
CLEMENS Quintus
Raymond Bertrand de Got (or Goth)c. 1264 Villandraut, Gascony, Kingdom of France41 / 50Subject of the Kingdom of France. Moved the papacy to Avignon (1309). Convened the Council of Vienne (1311–1312). Initiated the persecution of the Knights Templar with the bull Pastoralis Praeeminentiae under pressure from King Philip IV of France.
20 April 1314 –
7 August 1316
(2 years, 79 days)
Sede vacante.svg Interregnum Two-year period without a valid pope elected. This was due to a deadlock among cardinals voting for the pope.
196
C o a Johannes XXII.svg
7 August 1316
4 December 1334
(18 years, 119 days)
Jean XXII 1316.JPG John XXII
IOANNES Vicesimus Secundus
Jacques Duèze (or d'Euse)c. 1244 Cahors, Quercy, Kingdom of France72 / 90Subject of the Kingdom of France. Pope at Avignon. Controversial for his views on the beatific vision. Opposed the Franciscan understanding of the poverty of Christ and his apostles, famously leading William of Ockham to write against unlimited papal power.
12 May 1328 –
25 July 1330
(2 years, 74 days)
Antiope Nicholas V.jpg Nicholas V
NICOLAVS Quintus
Pietro Rainalducci, O.F.M. 1260 Corvaro, Papal States68 / 70 (†73)Subject and later the claimant of the throne of the Papal States. In opposition to John XXII. Excommunicated and submitted to John XXII.
197
C o a Benedictus XII.svg
20 December 1334
25 April 1342
(7 years, 126 days)
Francais 2810, fol. 134v, Benoit XII et messagers de Chine (cropped 2).jpg Benedict XII
BENEDICTVS Duodecimus
Jacques Fournier, O.Cist. 1285 Saverdun, County of Foix, Kingdom of France49 / 57Subject of the Kingdom of France. Pope at Avignon. Member of the Order of Cistercians. Known for issuing the Apostolic constitution Benedictus Deus (1336). A careful pope who reformed monastic orders and opposed nepotism.
198
C o a Beaufort Popes.svg
7 May 1342
6 December 1352
(10 years, 213 days)
01 Clement VI (Fresque de la chapelle Saint-Martial du palais des papes).jpg Clement VI
CLEMENS Sextus
Pierre Roger, O.S.B. c. 1291 Maumont, Limousin, Kingdom of France51 / 61Subject of the Kingdom of France. Pope at Avignon. Reigned during the Black Death and absolved those who died from it of their sins.
199
C o a Inocentius VI.svg
18 December 1352
12 September 1362
(9 years, 268 days)
Innocent VI.JPG Innocent VI
INNOCENTIVS Sextus
Étienne Aubertc. 1282 Les Monts, Limousin, Kingdom of France70 / 80Subject of the Kingdom of France. Pope at Avignon. Through his exertions, the Treaty of Brétigny was signed and ratified.
200
C o a Urbanus V.svg
28 September 1362
19 December 1370
(8 years, 82 days)
Simone dei crocifissi, urbano V, 1375 ca., forse dalla cattedrale di s. pietro 01 (cropped).jpg Bl. Urban V
VRBANVS Quintus
Guillaume de Grimoard, O.S.B. 1310 Grizac, Languedoc, Kingdom of France52 / 60Subject of the Kingdom of France. Pope at Avignon. Member of the Order of Saint Benedict. Reformed areas of education and sent missionary movements across Europe and Asia. His pontificate witnessed the Alexandrian and Savoyard crusades.
201
C o a Beaufort Popes.svg
30 December 1370
27 March 1378
(7 years, 87 days)
Duke of Anjou leading Pope Gregory XI to the palace at Avignon, while cardinals follow (cropped).png Gregory XI
GREGORIVS Undecimus
Pierre Roger de Beaufortc. 1329 Maumont, Limousin, Kingdom of France41 / 49Subject of the Kingdom of France. Pope at Avignon; returned the seat of the papacy to Rome (1377). Last French pope.
202
C o a Urbanus VI.svg
8 April 1378
15 October 1389
(11 years, 190 days)
Nuremberg Chronicle f 232v Urbanus VI.jpg Urban VI
VRBANVS Sextus
Bartolomeo Prignanoc. 1318 Naples, Kingdom of Naples 60 / 71Subject of the Kingdom of Naples. Last pope to be elected outside the College of Cardinals. Reigned during the Western Schism.

C o a Clemente VII (antipapa).svg
20 September 1378 –
16 September 1394
(15 years, 353 days)
GiacMaster Pope Clement VII.jpg Clement VII
CLEMENS Septimus
Robert de Genève1342 Chateau d'Annecy, County of Savoy36 / 52Subject of the County of Savoy. Western Schism. In opposition to Urban VI and Boniface IX.
203
C o a Bonifatius IX.svg
2 November 1389
1 October 1404
(14 years, 334 days)
Nuremberg Chronicle f 232v Bonifacius IX.jpg Boniface IX
BONIFATIVS Nonus
Pietro Cybo Tomacellic. 1350 Naples, Kingdom of Naples39 / 54Subject of the Kingdom of Naples. Reigned during the Western Schism.

C o a Benedictus XIII (antipapa).svg
28 September 1394 –
23 May 1423
(28 years, 237 days)
Portrait du Antipape Benoit XIII par Joan Reixach XV.jpg Benedict XIII
BENEDICTVS Tertius Decimus
Pedro Martínez de Luna y Pérez de Gotor25 November 1328 Illueca, Kingdom of Aragon 66 / 94Subject of the Kingdom of Aragon. Western Schism. In opposition to Boniface IX, Innocent VII, Gregory XII, Martin V, and the Pisan Antipopes Alexander V and John XXIII. Excommunicated on 27 July 1417.

15th century

Popes of the 15th century
Pontiff
number
PontificatePortraitName: English
· Latin
Personal nameDate and place of birthAge at start/
end of papacy
Notes
204
C o a Inocentius VII.svg
17 October 1404
6 November 1406
(2 years, 20 days)
Nuremberg Chronicles f 235v 1 Innocentius VII.jpg Innocent VII
INNOCENTIVS Septimus
Cosimo Gentile Migliorati1339 Sulmona, Kingdom of Naples65 / 67Subject of the Kingdom of Naples. Reigned during the Western Schism.
205
C o a Gregorius XII.svg
30 November 1406
4 July 1415
(8 years, 216 days)
Joos Van Wassenhove e Pedro Berruguete - San Gregorio - Galleria Nazionale delle Marche.jpg Gregory XII
GREGORIVS Duodecimus
Angelo Correr c. 1327 Venice, Republic of Venice 79 / 88 (†90)Citizen of the Republic of Venice. Reigned during the Western Schism. Confirmed the Council of Constance (1415); convinced to abdicate to end the Western Schism. Last pope to abdicate until Benedict XVI (2013).

C o a Alexander V (antipapa).svg
30 June 1409
3 May 1410
(307 days)
Nuremberg Chronicle f 235v 3 Alexander V.jpg Alexander V
ALEXANDER Quintus
Pétros Philárgēs,
O.F.M.
1339 Neapoli, Candia, Republic of Venice70 / 71Citizen of the Republic of Venice. Was of Greek ethnicity. Western Schism. In opposition to Gregory XII. Considered a legitimate pope until 1963 and is still numbered as such to this day.

C o a Johannes XXIII (antipapa).svg
25 May 1410 –
29 May 1415
(5 years, 4 days)
Johannes XXIII. Gegenpapst 2.jpg John XXIII
IOANNES Vicesimus Tertius
Baldassarre Cossa1365 Procida, Kingdom of Naples45 / 50 (†54)Subject of the Kingdom of Naples. Western Schism. In opposition to Gregory XII. Convened the Council of Constance (1414). Deposed. Became the dean of the College of Cardinals in 1417. Was considered a legitimate pope until 1958.
4 July 1415 –
11 November 1417
(2 years, 136 days)
Sede vacante.svg Interregnum Two-year period without a valid pope elected. The Council of Constance (1414–1418) called on all three papal claimants to abdicate, but only Gregory XII (Roman) did. John XXIII (Pisan) was deposed, Benedict XIII (Avignon) was excommunicated, and a new pope (Martin V) was elected.
206
C o a Martinus V.svg
11 November 1417
20 February 1431
(13 years, 101 days)
Papa Martino V.jpg Martin V
MARTINVS Quintus
Oddone Colonna January–February 1369 Genazzano, Papal States48 / 62Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. His election effectively ended the Western Schism. Convened the Council of Basel (1431); initiated the Hussite Wars.

C o a Clemente VIII (antipapa).svg
10 June 1423 –
26 July 1429
(6 years, 36 days)
Palma Antipapa Clemens VIII.JPG Clement VIII
CLEMENS Octavus
Gil Sánchez Muñoz y Carbón1369 Teruel, Kingdom of Aragon54 / 60 (†77)Subject of the Kingdom of Aragon. Western Schism. In opposition to Martin V. Later submitted to Martin V.
1424 – 1429
(5 years)
Benedict XIV
BENEDICTVS Quartus Decimus
Bernard GarnierKingdom of FranceSubject of the Kingdom of France. Two antipope claimants. [21]
1430 – 1437
(7 years)
Benedict XIV
BENEDICTVS Quartus Decimus
Jean CarrierKingdom of FranceSubject of the Kingdom of France. Two antipope claimants. [22]
207
C o a Eugenius IV.svg
3 March 1431
23 February 1447
(15 years, 357 days)
PapstEugen.jpg Eugene IV
EVGENIVS Quartus
Gabriele Condulmer, Can.Reg. 1383 Venice, Republic of Venice48 / 64Citizen of the Republic of Venice. Nephew of Gregory XII. Canon Regular of San Giorgio in Alga. Crowned Emperor Sigismund at Rome in 1433. Issued the papal bull Creator Omnium (1434), rescinding any recognition of Portugal's right to conquer the still-pagan Canary Islands and excommunicating anyone who enslaved the newly-converted Christians, the penalty to stand until the captives were restored to their freedom and possessions. Transferred the Council of Basel to Ferrara (1438); it was eventually transferred again to Florence (1439–1445) to avoid the bubonic plague.

C o a Felix V (antipapa).svg
5 November 1439
7 April 1449
(9 years, 153 days)
Portrait of Antipope Felix V.jpg Felix V
FELIX Quintus
Amédée de Savoie 4 September 1383 Chambéry, County of Savoy 56 / 65 (†67)Subject of the County of Savoy. In opposition to Eugene IV and Nicholas V. Later submitted to Nicholas V. Also ruled as count and then duke of Savoy. [23]
208
C o a Nicolaus V.svg
6 March 1447
24 March 1455
(8 years, 18 days)
Paus Nicolaas V door Peter Paul Rubens.jpg Nicholas V
NICOLAVS Quintus
Tommaso Parentucelli13 November 1397 Sarzana, Republic of Genoa49 / 57Citizen of the Republic of Genoa. Held the 1450 jubilee. Crowned Emperor Frederick III at Rome in 1452. Issued the bull Dum Diversas (1452), recognizing Portugal's right to conquer and subjugate the Saracens and pagans. Created a library in the Vatican, which would eventually become the Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana .
209
C o a Callistus III.svg
8 April 1455
6 August 1458
(3 years, 120 days)
Calixtus III.jpg Callixtus III
CALLISTVS Tertius
Alfons de Borja 31 December 1378 Xàtiva, Kingdom of Valencia 76 / 79Subject of the Kingdom of Valencia (and therefore subject of the Crown of Aragon). First Valencian pope. Instituted the Feast of the Transfiguration to be celebrated on 6 August. Ordered the retrial of Joan of Arc, leading to her vindication. Elevated his nephews to cardinals, one of whom later became Pope Alexander VI.
210
C o a Piccolomini Popes.svg
19 August 1458
15 August 1464
(5 years, 362 days)
Pius II (cropped).jpg Pius II
PIVS Secundus
Enea Silvio Bartolomeo Piccolomini 18 October 1405 Corsignano, Republic of Siena 52 / 58Citizen of the Republic of Siena. Displayed a great interest in urban planning. Founded Pienza near Siena as the ideal city in 1462. Known for his work on the Commentaries.
211
C o a Paulus II.svg
30 August 1464
26 July 1471
(6 years, 330 days)
Pietrobarbo.jpg Paul II
PAVLVS Secundus
Pietro Barbo 23 February 1417 Venice, Republic of Venice47 / 54Citizen of the Republic of Venice. Nephew of Eugene IV. Built the Palazzo San Marco (now Palazzo Venezia). Approved the introduction of printing in the Papal States.
212
C o a popes Della Rovere.svg
9 August 1471
12 August 1484
(13 years, 3 days)
Pedro Berruguete, Portrait of Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere (early 1500s), Cleveland Museum of Art.jpg Sixtus IV
XYSTVS Quartus
Francesco della Rovere, O.F.M. 21 July 1414 Celle Ligure, Republic of Genoa57 / 70Citizen of the Republic of Genoa. Member of the Franciscan Order. Commissioned the Sistine Chapel and created the Vatican Archives. Authorized the Spanish Inquisition at the request of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, targeting converted Jewish Christians in Spain. A patron of the arts; he brought together the group of artists who ushered the Early Renaissance into Rome with the first masterpieces of the city's new artistic age. Known for his nepotism and involvement in the Pazzi conspiracy.
213
C o a Inocentius VIII.svg
29 August 1484
25 July 1492
(7 years, 331 days)
Papa Innocenzo VIII, di Cristofano dell'Altissimo, 1552-68 -FG.jpg Innocent VIII
INNOCENTIVS Octavus
Giovanni Battista Cybo 1432 Genoa, Republic of Genoa52 / 60Citizen of the Republic of Genoa. Appointed Tomás de Torquemada as the inquisitor general of the Spanish Inquisition. Endorsed the prosecution of witchcraft in the bull Summis desiderantes affectibus (1484).
214
C o a Alexander VI.svg
11 August 1492
18 August 1503
(11 years, 7 days)
Pope Alexander Vi.jpg Alexander VI
ALEXANDER Sextus
Roderic Llançol i de Borja 1 January 1431 Xàtiva, Kingdom of Valencia61 / 72Subject of the Kingdom of Valencia (and therefore subject of the Crown of Aragon). Nephew of Callixtus III; father to both Cesare Borgia and Lucrezia Borgia. Divided the extra-European world between Spain and Portugal in the papal bull Inter caetera (1493). Considered as one of the most controversial of the Renaissance popes, partly because he acknowledged fathering several children by his mistresses. As a result, his Italianized Valencian surname, Borgia, became a byword for libertinism and nepotism, traditionally considered as characterizing his pontificate.

16th century

Popes of the 16th century
Pontiff
number
PontificatePortraitName: English
· Latin
Personal nameDate and place of birthAge at start/
end of papacy
Notes
215
C o a Piccolomini Popes.svg
22 September 1503
18 October 1503
(26 days)
PiusIII.jpg Pius III
PIVS Tertius
Francesco Todeschini-Piccolomini 29 May 1439 Siena, Republic of Siena64 / 64Citizen of the Republic of Siena. Nephew of Pius II. Founded the Piccolomini Library in the Siena Cathedral.
216
C o a popes Della Rovere.svg
31 October 1503
21 February 1513
(9 years, 113 days)
Raffaello Sanzio - Portrait of Julius II - WGA18799 (cropped).jpg Julius II
IVLIVS Secundus
Giuliano della Rovere, O.F.M. 5 December 1443 Albisola, Republic of Genoa59 / 69Citizen of the Republic of Genoa. Nephew of Sixtus IV. Member of the Franciscan Order. Nicknamed the "Warrior Pope" or the "Fearsome Pope". Became pope in the context of the Italian Wars, a period in which the major powers of Europe fought for primacy in the Italian peninsula. Took control of all the Papal States for the first time. Established the Vatican Museums and initiated the rebuilding of St. Peter's Basilica. The same year, he organized the famous Swiss Guard for his personal protection and commanded a successful campaign in Romagna against the local lords. The interests of Julius II also lay in the New World, as he ratified the Treaty of Tordesillas (1506), establishing the first bishoprics in the Americas and starting the catholicization of Latin America. Commissioned the four Raphael Rooms and Michelangelo's paintings in the Sistine Chapel (1508). Convened the Fifth Council of the Lateran (1512).

Julius II was described by Machiavelli in his works as the ideal prince. Julius II allowed people seeking indulgences to donate money to the Church, which would be used for the construction of St. Peter's Basilica.

217
C o a Medici popes.svg
9 March 1513
1 December 1521
(8 years, 267 days)
Raffaello, ritratto di papa leone X tra i cardinali luigi de' rossi e giulio de' medici, 1518, 03.jpg Leo X
LEO Decimus
Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici 11 December 1475 Florence, Republic of Florence 37 / 45Citizen of the Republic of Florence. Son of Lorenzo the Magnificent. Closed the Fifth Council of the Lateran (1517). Remembered for granting indulgences to those who donated to rebuild St. Peter's Basilica and for excommunicating Martin Luther (1521). Extended the Spanish Inquisition into Portugal. Borrowed and spent money without circumspection and was a significant patron of the arts. Under his reign, progress was made on the rebuilding of St. Peter's Basilica, and artists such as Raphael decorated the Vatican rooms. Leo X also reorganized the Roman University and promoted the study of literature, poetry, and antiquities. Last pope to not have been in the priestly orders at the time of his election to the papacy.
218
C o a Hadrianus VI.svg
9 January 1522
14 September 1523
(1 year, 248 days)
Portrait of Pope Adrian VI (by Jan van Scorel).jpg Adrian VI
HADRIANVS Sextus
Adriaan Floriszoon Boeyens2 March 1459 Utrecht, Bishopric of Utrecht 62 / 64Motto: Patere et sustine("Respect and wait") [24]

Subject of the Bishopric of Utrecht. The only Dutch pope; last non-Italian to be elected pope until John Paul II in 1978. Tutor of Emperor Charles V. Came to the papacy in the midst of one of its greatest crises, threatened not only by Lutheranism to the north, but also by the advance of the Ottoman Turks to the east. He refused to compromise with Lutheranism theologically, demanding Martin Luther's condemnation as a heretic. However, he is noted for his attempt to reform the Catholic Church administratively in response to the Protestant Reformation. Adrian VI's remarkable admission that the turmoil of the Church was the fault of the Roman Curia itself was read at the 1522–1523 Diet of Nuremberg.

His efforts at reform, however, proved fruitless, as they were resisted by most of his Renaissance ecclesiastical contemporaries, and he did not live long enough to see his efforts through to their conclusion.

219
C o a Medici popes.svg
26 November 1523
25 September 1534
(10 years, 303 days)
Clement VII. Sebastiano del Piombo. c.1531..jpg Clement VII
CLEMENS Septimus
Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici 26 May 1478 Florence, Republic of Florence45 / 56Motto: Candor illaesus("Unharmed candor") [25]

Citizen of the Republic of Florence. Cousin of Leo X. Rome was sacked by imperial troops (1527). Forbade the divorce of King Henry VIII of England. Crowned Emperor Charles V at Bologna in 1530. Commissioned Michelangelo's painting of The Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel (1533). Approved Copernicus's heliocentric model of the universe (1533).

The niece of the pope was married to the future Henry II of France (1533). Recognized the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (Capuchins).

220
C o a Paulus III.svg
13 October 1534
10 November 1549
(15 years, 28 days)
Portrait of Pope Paul III Farnese (by Titian) - National Museum of Capodimonte.jpg Paul III
PAVLVS Tertius
Alessandro Farnese 29 February 1468 Canino, Papal States66 / 81Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Recognized the Jesuits (1540). Opened the Council of Trent (1545). His illegitimate son became the first duke of Parma. Decreed the second and final excommunication of King Henry VIII of England. Appointed Michelangelo to supervise construction of St. Peter's Basilica (1546).
221
C o a Iulius III.svg
7 February 1550
29 March 1555
(5 years, 50 days)
Girolamo Sicciolante - Paus Julius III.jpg Julius III
IVLIVS Tertius
Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte10 September 1487 Rome, Papal States62 / 67Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Reopened the Council of Trent (1551). Established the Collegium Germanicum (1552). The Innocenzo Scandal.
222
C o a Marcelus II.svg
9 April 1555
1 May 1555
(22 days)
Portrait of Pope Marcellus II Cervini (Vatican Museums - Musei Vaticani, Vatican).jpg Marcellus II
MARCELLVS Secundus
Marcello Cervini degli Spannochi6 May 1501 Montefano, Papal States53 / 53Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Last to use his birth name as his papal name. Instituted immediate economies in the expenditure of the Holy See. The Missa Papae Marcelli was composed in his honour.
223
C o a Paulus IV.svg
23 May 1555
18 August 1559
(4 years, 87 days)
Pope Paul IV - Jacopino Conte (Manner), ca. 1560.jpg Paul IV
PAVLVS Quartus
Gian Pietro Carafa, C.R. 28 June 1476 Capriglia Irpina, Kingdom of Naples78 / 83Motto: Dominus mihi adjutor("The Lord is my helper") [26]

Subject of the Kingdom of Naples. Founder and member of the Theatines. Established the Roman Ghetto in the bull Cum nimis absurdum (1555) and published the Index of Forbidden Books (1559). Ordered Michelangelo to repaint the nude figures in The Last Judgment modestly.

224
C o a Pius IV.svg
26 December 1559
9 December 1565
(5 years, 348 days)
Portrait of Pope Pius IV, three-quarter-length, seated at a draped table (Circle of Scipione Pulzone).jpg Pius IV
PIVS Quartus
Giovanni Angelo Medici 31 March 1499 Milan, Duchy of Milan 60 / 66Subject of the Duchy of Milan. Reopened and closed the Council of Trent (1563). Ordered public construction to improve the water supply of Rome. Instituted the Tridentine Creed.
225
C o a Pius V.svg
7 January 1566
1 May 1572
(6 years, 115 days)
Bartolomeo Passarotti - Pius V.jpg St Pius V
PIVS Quintus
Antonio Ghislieri, O.P. 17 January 1504 Bosco, Duchy of Milan61 / 68Motto: Utinam dirigantur viae meae ad custodiendas("O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping Thy statutes")

Subject of the Duchy of Milan. Member of the Dominican Order, with the religious name Michele. Excommunicated Queen Elizabeth I of England. Issued the 1570 Roman Missal. Battle of Lepanto (1571); instituted the feast of Our Lady of Victory.

226
C o a Gregorius XIII.svg
13 May 1572
10 April 1585
(12 years, 322 days)
Pope Gregory XIII portrait.jpg Gregory XIII
GREGORIVS Tertius Decimus
Ugo Boncompagni 7 January 1502 Bologna, Papal States70 / 83Motto: Aperuit et clausit("Opened and closed") [27]

Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Built the Gregorian Chapel in the Vatican. First pope to bestow the Immaculate Conception as the patron saint of the Philippine Islands through the bull Ilius Fulti Praesido (1579). Strengthened diplomatic ties with Asian nations. Reformed the calendar (1582).

227
C o a Sixtus V.svg
24 April 1585
27 August 1590
(5 years, 125 days)
Portrait of Pope Sixtus V.jpg Sixtus V
XYSTVS Quintus
Felice Peretti di Montalto, O.F.M. Conv. 13 December 1521 Grottammare, Papal States63 / 68Motto: Aqua et panis, vita canis("Water and bread are a dog's life") [28]

Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Member of the Conventual Franciscan Order. Fixed and completed building works to major basilicas in Rome. Limited the College of Cardinals to 70 in number; doubled the number of Curial congregations (1588).

228
C o a Urbanus VII.svg
15 September 1590
27 September 1590
(12 days)
Papa Urbano VII (Pope Urban VII).jpg Urban VII
VRBANVS Septimus
Giovanni Battista Castagna4 August 1521 Rome, Papal States69 / 69Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Supported by Spain. Shortest-reigning pope; died before coronation. Set the first known worldwide smoking ban, banning smoking in and near all churches.
229
C o a Gregorius XIV.svg
5 December 1590
16 October 1591
(315 days)
Roman School - Portrait of Pope Gregory XIV (16th Century).jpg Gregory XIV
GREGORIVS Quartus Decimus
Niccolò Sfondrati11 February 1535 Somma Lombardo, Duchy of Milan55 / 56Subject of the Duchy of Milan. Modified the constitution Effraenatam of Sixtus V so that the penalty for abortion did not apply until the foetus became animated. Made gambling on papal elections punishable by excommunication through the bull Cogit nos (1591) to maintain the sanctity and seriousness of the election process.
230
C o a Inocentius IX.svg
29 October 1591
30 December 1591
(62 days)
Portrait of Pope Innocent IX (Fidenza Cathedral Museum - Museo del Duomo di Fidenza, Fidenza).jpg Innocent IX
INNOCENTIVS Nonus
Giovanni Antonio Facchinetti20 July 1519 Bologna, Papal States72 / 72Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Supported the cause of King Philip II of Spain and the Catholic League against King Henry IV of France in the French Wars of Religion. Prohibited alienation of church property.
231
C o a Clementem VIII.svg
30 January 1592
3 March 1605
(13 years, 32 days)
Papst Clemens VIII Italian 17th century.jpg Clement VIII
CLEMENS Octavus
Ippolito Aldobrandini 24 February 1536 Fano, Papal States55 / 69Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Initiated an alliance of European Christian powers to partake in the war with the Ottoman Empire known as the Long War (1595). Convened the Congregatio de Auxiliis , addressing the doctrinal disputes between the Dominicans and Jesuits regarding free will and divine grace. [29]

17th century

Popes of the 17th century
Pontiff
number
PontificatePortraitName: English
· Latin
Personal nameDate and place of birthAge at start/
end of papacy
Notes
232
C o a Medici popes.svg
1 April 1605
27 April 1605
(26 days)
Pope Leo XI - Portrait.jpg Leo XI
LEO Undecimus
Alessandro Ottaviano de' Medici 2 June 1535 Florence, Duchy of Florence 69 / 69Subject of the Duchy of Florence. Great-nephew of Leo X. Called the "Lightning Pope" (Papa Lampo) due to his brief pontificate.
233
C o a Paulus V.svg
16 May 1605
28 January 1621
(15 years, 257 days)
Pope Paul V (cropped 2).jpg Paul V
PAVLVS Quintus
Camillo Borghese 17 September 1552 Rome, Papal States52/ 68Motto: Absit nisi in Te gloriari("May it be absent, except to glory in You") [30]

Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Known for financing many building projects, including the facade of St. Peter's Basilica. Established the Bank of the Holy Spirit (1605). Restored the Aqua Traiana.

234
C o a Gregorius XV.svg
9 February 1621
8 July 1623
(2 years, 149 days)
Pope Gregory XV.jpg Gregory XV
GREGORIVS Quintus Decimus
Alessandro Ludovisi 9 January 1554 Bologna, Papal States67 / 69Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Issued the bull Aeterni Patris Filius (1621), which imposed conclaves to be by secret ballot. Established the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith (1622). Issued the apostolic constitution Omnipotentis Dei (1623) against magicians and witches.
235
C o a Urbanus VIII.svg
6 August 1623
29 July 1644
(20 years, 358 days)
Urban VIII (cropped).jpg Urban VIII
VRBANVS Octavus
Maffeo Vincenzo Barberini 5 April 1568 Florence, Grand Duchy of Tuscany 55 / 76Subject of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Issued a bill that made the use of tobacco in holy places punishable by excommunication (1624). Trial against Galileo Galilei. Last pope to expand the papal territory by force of arms.
236
C o a Inocentius X.svg
15 September 1644
7 January 1655
(10 years, 114 days)
Retrato del Papa Inocencio X. Roma, by Diego Velazquez.jpg Innocent X
INNOCENTIVS Decimus
Giovanni Battista Pamphili 6 May 1574 Rome, Papal States70 / 80Motto: Alleviatae sunt aquae super terram("The waters are lifted above the earth") [31]

Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Great-great-great-grandson of Alexander VI. Erected the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi in Piazza Navona. Opposed the Peace of Westphalia. Promulgated the apostolic constitution Cum occasione (1653), condemning the five doctrines of Jansenism.

237
C o a Alexander VII.svg
7 April 1655
22 May 1667
(12 years, 45 days)
Alexander VII.jpg Alexander VII
ALEXANDER Septimus
Fabio Chigi 13 February 1599 Siena, Grand Duchy of Tuscany56 / 68Subject of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Great-nephew of Paul V. Commissioned St. Peter's Square. Issued the apostolic constitution Sollicitudo Omnium Ecclesiarum that set the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception (1661), almost identical to that of Pius IX nearly two centuries later.
238
C o a Clementem IX.svg
20 June 1667
9 December 1669
(2 years, 172 days)
Portrait of Pope Clement IX, by Carlo Maratti (or Maratta) - Hermitage Museum.jpg Clement IX
CLEMENS Nonus
Giulio Rospigliosi 28 January 1600 Pistoia, Grand Duchy of Tuscany67 / 69Motto: Aliis non sibi clemens("Clement to others, not to himself") [32]

Subject of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Mediated in the Peace of Aachen (1668).

239
C o a Clementem X.svg
29 April 1670
22 July 1676
(6 years, 84 days)
Portrait of Pope Clement X, by Giovanni Battista Gaulli (Baciccio) - Metropolitan Museum of Art.jpg Clement X
CLEMENS Decimus
Emilio Bonaventura Altieri 13 July 1590 Rome, Papal States79 / 86Motto: Bonum auget malum minuit("He increases good and diminishes evil") [33]

Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Canonized the first saint from the Americas: St Rose of Lima (1671). Decorated the bridge of Sant' Angelo with the ten statues of angels and commissioned one of the two fountains adorning the piazza of St. Peter's Square. Regulated the removal of relics of saints from sacred cemeteries.

240
C o a Inocentius XI.svg
21 September 1676
12 August 1689
(12 years, 325 days)
Jacob Ferdinand Voet - Portrait of Innocenzo XI Odescalchi (cropped).jpeg Bl. Innocent XI
INNOCENTIVS Undecimus
Benedetto Odescalchi 16 May 1611 Como, Duchy of Milan65 / 78Motto: Avarus non implebitur("The covetous man is not satisfied") [34]

Subject of the Duchy of Milan. Condemned the doctrine of mental reservation (1679) and initiated the Holy League. Extended the Holy Name of Mary as a universal feast (1684). Admired for positive contributions to catechesis.

241
C o a Alexander VIII.svg
6 October 1689
1 February 1691
(1 year, 118 days)
Portrait of Pope Alexander VIII - Roman School of 17th Century - (unframed).jpg Alexander VIII
ALEXANDER Octavus
Pietro Vito Ottoboni 22 April 1610 Venice, Republic of Venice79 / 80Citizen of the Republic of Venice. Condemned the so-called philosophical sin (1690).
242
C o a Inocentius XII.svg
12 July 1691
27 September 1700
(9 years, 77 days)
Antonio Zanchi - Papa Innocenzo XII (cropped).jpg Innocent XII
INNOCENTIVS Duodecimus
Antonio Pignatelli 13 March 1615 Spinazzola, Kingdom of Naples76 / 85Subject of the Kingdom of Naples. Issued the bull Romanum decet Pontificem (1692) to stop nepotism. Erected various charitable and educational institutions.
243
C o a Clementem XI.svg
23 November 1700
19 March 1721
(20 years, 116 days)
Portrait of Pope Clement XI Albani (Vatican Museums - Musei Vaticani, Vatican).jpg Clement XI
CLEMENS Undecimus
Giovanni Francesco Albani23 July 1649 Urbino, Papal States51 / 71Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. The Chinese Rites controversy. Patronized the first archaeological excavations in the Roman catacombs and made the feast of Immaculate Conception universal. The Inquisition's ban on the reprinting of Galileo's works was lifted in 1718, when permission was granted to publish an edition of his scientific works (excluding the condemned Dialogue) in Florence. [16] [35]

18th century

Popes of the 18th century
Pontiff
number
PontificatePortraitName: English
· Latin
Personal nameDate and place of birthAge at start/
end of papacy
Notes
244
C o a Inocentius XIII.svg
8 May 1721
7 March 1724
(2 years, 304 days)
InnocientXIII.jpg Innocent XIII
INNOCENTIVS Tertius Decimus
Michelangelo dei Conti 13 May 1655 Poli, Papal States65 / 68Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Prohibited the Jesuits from prosecuting their mission in China, ordering that no new members should be received into the order. Issued the papal bull Apostolici Ministerii (1724), reviving ecclesiastical discipline in Spain and its colonies.
245
C o a Benedictus XIII.svg
29 May 1724
21 February 1730
(5 years, 268 days)
Benedetto XIII.jpg Servant of God Benedict XIII
BENEDICTVS Tertius Decimus
Pierfrancesco Orsini, O.P. 2 February 1649 Gravina in Puglia, Kingdom of Naples75 / 81Subject of the Kingdom of Naples. Member of the Dominican Order, with the religious name Vincenzo. Third and last member of the Orsini family to become pope. Originally called Benedict XIV due to the antipope but reverted to XIII. Repealed the worldwide tobacco smoking ban set by Urban VII and Urban VIII. During his pontificate, James Bradley discovered the stellar aberration, proving the relative motion of the Earth in its orbit around the Sun.
246
C o a Clementem XII.svg
12 July 1730
6 February 1740
(9 years, 209 days)
Agostino Masucci - Portrait of Pope Clement XII, seated.jpg Clement XII
CLEMENS Duodecimus
Lorenzo Corsini 7 April 1652 Florence, Grand Duchy of Tuscany78 / 87Motto: Dabis discernere inter malum et bonum("You shall deign to distinguish between good and evil") [36]

Subject of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Commissioned the Trevi Fountain in Rome (1732). Completed the new façade of the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran (1735). Condemned Freemasonry in In eminenti apostolatus (1738).

247
C o a Benedictus XIV.svg
17 August 1740
3 May 1758
(17 years, 259 days)
Benoit XIV.jpg Benedict XIV
BENEDICTVS Quartus Decimus
Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini31 March 1675 Bologna, Papal States65 / 83Motto: Curabuntur omnes("All will be healed") [37]

Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Reformed the education of priests and the calendar of feasts. Completed the Trevi Fountain and affirmed the teachings of Thomas Aquinas. Founded academies of art, liturgy, religion, and science. Authorized the publication of an edition of Galileo's complete scientific works, including a mildly censored version of Galileo's Dialogue.

248
C o a Clementem XIII.svg
6 July 1758
2 February 1769
(10 years, 211 days)
Anton Raphael Mengs - Portrait of pope Clement XIII, c. 1760.jpg Clement XIII
CLEMENS Tertius Decimus
Carlo della Torre di Rezzonico7 March 1693 Venice, Republic of Venice65 / 75Citizen of the Republic of Venice. Provided the famous fig leaves on nude male statues in the Vatican. Defended the Jesuits in the bull Apostolicum pascendi (1765). During his pontificate (or at the end of his predecessor's pontificate), the general prohibition against works advocating heliocentrism was removed from the Index of Forbidden Books , although the specific ban on uncensored versions of Galileo's Dialogue and Copernicus's De Revolutionibus remained.
249
C o a Clementem XIV.svg
19 May 1769
22 September 1774
(5 years, 126 days)
Vincenzo Milione - Portrait of Pope Clement XIV.jpg Clement XIV
CLEMENS Quartus Decimus
Giovanni Vincenzo Antonio Ganganelli, O.F.M. Conv. 31 October 1705 Sant'
Arcangelo di Romagna
, Papal States
63 / 68Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Member of the Conventual Franciscan Order, with the religious name Lorenzo. Suppressed the Jesuits through the brief Dominus ac Redemptor (1773).
250
C o a Pius VI.svg
15 February 1775
29 August 1799
(24 years, 195 days)
Pompeo Batoni - Ritratto di Papa Pio VI (National Gallery of Ireland).jpg Pius VI
PIVS Sextus
Giovanni Angelo Onofrio Melchiorre Natale Antonio Braschi 25 December 1717 Cesena, Papal States57 / 81Motto: Floret in Domo Domini("It blossoms in the House of God") [38]

Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Condemned the French Revolution; expelled from the Papal States by the French from 1798 until his death. Last pope to be a patron of Renaissance art.

29 August 1799 –
14 March 1800
(197 days)
Sede vacante.svg Interregnum Six-month period without a valid pope elected. This was due to unique logistical problems (the former pope died a prisoner and the conclave was in Venice) and a deadlock among cardinals voting.
251
C o a Pius VII.svg
14 March 1800
20 August 1823
(23 years, 159 days)
Jacques-Louis David 018.jpg Servant of God Pius VII
PIVS Septimus
Barnaba Niccolò Maria Luigi Chiaramonti, O.S.B. 14 August 1742 Cesena, Papal States57 / 81Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Member of the Order of Saint Benedict, with the religious name Gregorio. Present at Napoleon's coronation as emperor of the French. Expelled from the Papal States by the French between 1809 and 1814. Revived the Jesuits in the bull Sollicitudo omnium ecclesiarum (1814). Organized the Papal Carabinieri Corps (1816).

19th century

Popes of the 19th century
Pontiff
number
PontificatePortraitName: English
· Latin
Personal nameDate and place of birthAge at start/
end of papacy
Notes
252
C o a Leon XII.svg
28 September 1823
10 February 1829
(5 years, 135 days)
Charles Picque - Portrait de Leon XII (1828).jpg Leo XII
LEO Duodecimus
Annibale Francesco Clemente Melchiorre Girolamo Nicola della Genga22 August 1760 Genga, Papal States63 / 68Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Placed the Catholic educational system under the control of the Jesuits through the bull Quod divina sapientia (1824). Condemned Freemasonry and the Bible societies.
253
C o a Pius VIII.svg
31 March 1829
30 November 1830
(1 year, 244 days)
Ritratto di Papa Pio VIII, by Clemente Alberi.jpg Pius VIII
PIVS Octavus
Francesco Saverio Maria Felice Castiglioni20 November 1761 Cingoli, Papal States67 / 69Subject and later the sovereign of the Papal States. Accepted Louis Philippe I as king of the French. Condemned the masonic secret societies and modernist translations of the Bible through the brief Litteris altero (1830).
254
C o a Gregorius XVI.svg
2 February 1831
1 June 1846
(15 years, 119 days)
Gregory XVI.jpg Gregory XVI
GREGORIVS Sextus Decimus
Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari, O.S.B. Cam. 18 September 1765 Belluno, Republic of Venice65 / 80Citizen of the Republic of Venice. Member of the Camaldolese, with the religious name Mauro. Last non-bishop to be elected to the papacy. Politically opposed to democratic and modernising reforms of the Papal States. Regarding scientific thinking, all traces of opposition to heliocentrism by the church disappeared in 1835, when the uncensored versions of Dialogue and De Revolutionibus were finally removed from the Index .
255
C o a Pius IX.svg
16 June 1846
7 February 1878
(31 years, 236 days)
Pius IX, by Adolphe Braun, 1875.jpg Bl. Pius IX
PIVS Nonus
Giovanni Maria Battista Pietro Pellegrino Isidoro Mastai-Ferretti13 May 1792 Senigallia, Papal States54 / 85Subject and later the last sovereign of the Papal States, finally becoming an Italian citizen. Defined the dogmas of Immaculate Conception and papal infallibility. Issued the controversial Syllabus of Errors (1864). Opened the First Vatican Council (1869). Lost the Papal States to Italy (1870). Longest-reigning pope since Peter (c. 30–64); longest verified reign. First pope to be photographed.

During his pontificate, Augustinian friar Gregor Mendel published the "Experiments on Plant Hybridization" and Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species . At that time, no high-level Church pronouncement attacked head-on the theory of evolution as applied to non-human species. [39]

Even before the development of the scientific method, Catholic theology had allowed for biblical texts to be read as allegorical rather than literal where they appeared to contradict that which could be established by science or reason. Thus, Catholicism has been able to refine its understanding of scripture in light of scientific discoveries. [40] [41]

256
C o a Leon XIII.svg
20 February 1878
20 July 1903
(25 years, 150 days)
Papa Leone XIII.jpeg Leo XIII
LEO Tertius Decimus
Gioacchino Vincenzo Raffaele Luigi Pecci2 March 1810 Carpineto Romano, French Empire 67 / 93French citizen of Italian ethnicity, later becoming a subject of the Papal States and finally an Italian citizen. Issued the encyclical Rerum novarum (1891), supporting Christian democracy against Communism. Fourth-longest reigning pope after Peter, Pius IX, and John Paul II. Promoted the rosary and scapular. Approved two new Marian scapulars; first pope to fully embrace the concept of Mary as mediatrix. First pope to be filmed using a motion picture camera (1898) and first pope with voice recorded. Oldest verified pope in office.

20th century

Popes of the 20th century
Pontiff
number
PontificatePortraitName: English
· Latin
Personal nameDate and place of birthAge at start/
end of papacy
Notes
257
C o a Pius X (2).svg
4 August 1903
20 August 1914
(11 years, 16 days)
Pius X, by Francesco De Federicis, 1903 (cropped).jpg St Pius X
PIVS Decimus
Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto2 June 1835 Riese, Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, Austrian Empire 68 / 79Motto: Instaurare omnia in Christo("To restore all things in Christ")

Subject of the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, later becoming an Italian citizen. Placed a renewed emphasis on the Eucharist, expanding its reception. Combatted Modernism, issuing an oath against it (1910). Advocated the use of Gregorian Chant and reformed the Roman Breviary (1911).

258
C o a Benedictus XV.svg
3 September 1914
22 January 1922
(7 years, 141 days)
Benedictus XV, by Nicola Perscheid, 1915 (retouched).jpg Benedict XV
BENEDICTVS Quintus Decimus
Giacomo Paolo Giovanni Battista della Chiesa21 November 1854 Pegli, Kingdom of Sardinia 59 / 67Motto: In Te, Domine, speravi; non confundar in aeternum("In Thee, o Lord, have I trusted; let me not be confounded for evermore")

Subject of the Kingdom of Sardinia, later becoming an Italian citizen. Credited for intervening for peace during World War I. Issued the 1917 Code of Canon Law; supported the missionaries in Maximum illud . Remembered by Benedict XVI as a "prophet of peace". Reversed the betting ban on the outcome of papal elections imposed by Gregory XIV.

259
C o a Pius XI.svg
6 February 1922
10 February 1939
(17 years, 4 days)
Pius XI, by Nicola Perscheid (retouched).jpg Pius XI
PIVS Undecimus
Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti31 May 1857 Desio, Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, Austrian Empire64 / 81Motto: Pax Christi in Regno Christi("The Peace of Christ in the Kingdom of Christ")

Subject of the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, later becoming an Italian citizen. Signed the Lateran Treaty with Italy (1929), establishing Vatican City as a sovereign state. Inaugurated the Vatican Radio (1931). Refounded the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (1936). Instituted the feast of Christ the King. Opposed Nazism and Communism.

260
C o a Pius XII (2).svg
2 March 1939
9 October 1958
(19 years, 221 days)
Pius XII, by Michael Pitcairn, 1951 (cropped).jpg Ven. Pius XII
PIVS Duodecimus
Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli2 March 1876 Rome, Kingdom of Italy 63 / 82Motto: Opus justitiae pax("The work of justice [shall be] peace")

Italian citizen; first pope born after the unification of Italy. Credited with intervening for peace during World War II; controversial for his reactions to the Holocaust. Eliminated the Italian majority of cardinals. Invoked papal infallibility in the apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus , defining the dogma of the Assumption. Published the Humani generis (1950), the first encyclical to specifically refer to evolution and take a neutral position in regard to human evolution:

"The Church does not forbid that ... research and discussions, on the part of men experienced in both fields, take place with regard to the doctrine of evolution, in as far as it inquires into the origin of the human body as coming from pre-existent and living matter." [42]

261
C o a Johannes XXIII.svg
28 October 1958
3 June 1963
(4 years, 218 days)
Ioannes XXIII, by De Agostini, 1958-1963.jpg St John XXIII
IOANNES Vicesimus Tertius
Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli25 November 1881 Sotto il Monte, Kingdom of Italy76 / 81Motto: Obedientia et pax("Obedience and peace")

Italian citizen. Opened the Second Vatican Council (1962). Intervened for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962); issued the encyclical Pacem in terris (1963) on peace and nuclear disarmament Called the "Good Pope John".

262
C o a Paulus VI.svg
21 June 1963
6 August 1978
(15 years, 46 days)
Paulus VI, by Fotografia Felici, 1969.jpg St Paul VI
PAVLVS Sextus
Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini26 September 1897 Concesio, Kingdom of Italy65 / 80Motto: Cum Ipso in monte("With Him on the mountain")

Italian citizen. Last pope to be crowned. First pope since 1809 to travel outside Italy. Closed the Second Vatican Council (1965). First pope since the 9th century to visit the East, labelling the Eastern Churches as sister churches; visited the Eastern Orthodox Patriarchs of Jerusalem and Constantinople in 1964 and 1967. Rescinded the mutual excommunications which led to the Great Schism of 1054 in his meeting with Patriarch Athenagoras I in 1964. Issued the encyclical Humanae vitae (1968), reaffirming the condemnation of artificial contraception. Revised the Roman Missal (1969).

263
C o a Johannes Paulus I.svg
26 August 1978
28 September 1978
(33 days)
Paus Johannes Paulus I (Bestanddeelnr 929-9074) (cropped).jpg Bl. John Paul I
IOANNES PAVLVS Primus
Albino Luciani17 October 1912 Forno di Canale, Kingdom of Italy65 / 65Motto: Humilitas("Humility")

Italian citizen; most recent Italian pope. First pope to be born in the twentieth century. Abolished the papal coronation and opted for the papal inauguration. First pope to use "the First" in his papal name; first with two names for his two immediate predecessors. Last to use the sedia gestatoria . Died 33 days after his election.

264
Coat of arms of Ioannes Paulus II.svg
16 October 1978
2 April 2005
(26 years, 168 days)
Pope John Paul II smile FXD.jpg St John Paul II
IOANNES PAVLVS Secundus
Karol Józef Wojtyła18 May 1920 Wadowice, Republic of Poland 58 / 84Motto: Totus tuus ("Totally yours")

Polish citizen; first pope from Poland and first of Slavic origin. First non-Italian pope since Adrian VI (1522–1523). Youngest individual to begin his papacy since Pius IX (1846). Third-longest reigning pope after Peter and Pius IX. Travelled extensively, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate. Issued the encyclical Redemptor hominis (1979), exploring contemporary human problems. Established the World Youth Day (1984) and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (1994). Canonized 483 saints; more than any of his predecessors. Signed the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (1999) between the Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation. First to use the popemobile, replacing the sedia gestatoria.

3rd millennium

21st century

Popes of the 21st century
Pontiff
number
PontificatePortraitName: English
· Latin
Personal nameDate and place of birthAge at start/
end of papacy
Notes
265
Coat of arms of Benedictus XVI.svg
19 April 2005
28 February 2013
(7 years, 315 days)
Pope Benedict XVI, Berlin - 2011 (cropped).jpg Benedict XVI
BENEDICTVS Sextus Decimus
Joseph Alois Ratzinger16 April 1927 Marktl, Bavaria, German Reich 78 / 85 (†95)Motto: Cooperatores veritatis("Cooperators of the truth")

German citizen; first German pope since Stephen IX (1057–1058). Promoted the use of Latin and reintroduced several papal garments that had fallen into disuse. Elevated the Tridentine Mass to a more prominent position (2007). Authorized the formation of the Anglican ordinariates (2009). First pope to renounce the papacy since Gregory XII (1415); first to do so on his own initiative since Celestine V (1294), [43] becoming pope emeritus. [44] Died on 31 December 2022, aged 95; [45] longest-lived pope on record.

266
Coat of arms of Franciscus.svg
13 March 2013
21 April 2025
(12 years, 39 days)
Portrait of Pope Francis (2021) FXD.jpg Francis
FRANCISCVS
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J. 17 December 1936 Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic 76 / 88Motto: Miserando atque eligendo("By having mercy and by choosing") [46]

Argentine citizen. First pope born outside Europe since Gregory III (731–741) and the first from the Americas; first pope from Argentina, first from South America and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. First pope from a religious institute since Gregory XVI (1831–1846); first Jesuit pope. First pope to use a new and non-composed papal name since Lando (913–914). Issued the encyclical Laudato si' (2015), condemning global warming and irresponsible economic development. Facilitated the Cuban thaw (2015–2017). Eliminated the European majority of cardinals. First pope to visit and celebrate Mass on the Arabian Peninsula. [47] Restricted the celebration of the Tridentine Mass (2021). Second-oldest verified pope in office after Leo XIII.

267
Coat of arms of Leone XIV.svg
8 May 2025
present
(33 days)
Il Presidente Sergio Mattarella con Sua Santita Leone XIV, in occasione della visita Ufficiale in Vaticano 1 (cropped).jpg Leo XIV
LEO Quartus Decimus
Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A. 14 September 1955 Chicago, Illinois, United States of America 69Motto: In illo Uno unum("In the One, [we are] one")

Dual American and Peruvian citizen; first pope born in the United States, first from North America, and the second from the Americas. [48] [49] Second pope from an English-speaking country; the first since Adrian IV (1154–1159). [50] First pope to be born after World War II and during the Cold War. [51] First Augustinian pope.

Religious orders

51 popes and 6 antipopes (in italics) have been members of religious orders, including 12 members of third orders. They are listed by order as follows:

Type#Family#Order#Popes
Canons Regular 6 Augustinian
Canons

(C.R.S.A.)
5 Canons of the Lateran (C.R.L.)2 Honorius II, Innocent II
Canons of San Frediano 1 Lucius II
Canons of Saint-Ruf 1 Adrian IV
Canons of San Giorgio in Alga 1 Eugene IV
Premonstratensians (O.Praem.)1 Gregory VIII
Monastic Orders 25 Benedictine Orders 23 Benedictines (O.S.B.)22 Gregory I, Boniface IV, Adeodatus II, Leo IV, John IX, Leo VII, John XVI , Sylvester II, Sergius IV, Stephen IX, Gregory VII, Victor III, Urban II, Paschal II, Adalbert , Gelasius II, Anacletus II , Callixtus III , Celestine V, Clement VI, Urban V, Pius VII
Benedictine Camaldolese (O.S.B.Cam.)1 Gregory XVI
Cistercians (O.Cist.)2 Eugene III, Benedict XII
Mendicant Orders 24 Augustinians (O.S.A.)1 Leo XIV
Dominican Orders 5 Dominicans (O.P.)4 Innocent V, Benedict XI, Pius V, Benedict XIII
Dominican Tertiary (T.O.P.)1 Benedict XV
Franciscan Orders 18 Friars Minor (O.F.M.)5 Nicholas IV, Nicholas V , Alexander V , Sixtus IV, Julius II
Conventual Franciscans (O.F.M.Conv.)2 Sixtus V, Clement XIV
Secular Franciscans (O.F.S.)11 Gregory IX, Gregory X, Martin V, Innocent XII, Clement XII, Pius IX, Leo XIII, Pius X, Pius XI, Pius XII, John XXIII
Clerics Regular 2 Jesuits (S.J.)1 Francis
Theatines (C.R.)1 Paul IV
Total57N/A57N/A

Numbering of popes

Regnal numbers follow the usual convention for European monarchs. The first pope who chooses a unique name is not usually identified by an ordinal, John Paul I being the exception. Antipopes are treated as pretenders, and their numbers are reused by those considered to be legitimate popes. However, there are anomalies in the numbering of the popes. Several numbers were mistakenly increased in the Middle Ages because the records were misunderstood. Several antipopes were also kept in the sequence, either by mistake or because they were previously considered to be true popes. [52]

See also

Lists

Notes

  1. No longer inhabited; These lands would be annexed into Roman Syria by the Roman Empire during his pontificate.
  2. Now Volterra, Italy
  3. Roman citizenship was given to the rest of the Italians by the end of the Social War in 87 BC.
  4. 1 2 3 Now Athens, Greece
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Now Rome, Italy
  6. Now Bethlehem, Palestine
  7. 1 2 Now Terranova da Sibari, Italy
  8. Now Aquileia, Italy
  9. Now Homs, Syria
  10. Now Fondi, Italy
  11. Now a Roman ruin near Preveza, Greece
  12. It is not clear when Pope Victor I was born, and where he was born, although some [11] suggest he was born in Leptis Magna, now a part of Libya.
  13. Now Petilia Policastro, Italy
  14. Now Luni, Italy
  15. Now a Roman ruin near Solin, Croatia

References

  1. Annuario Pontificio (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2012 ISBN   978-88-209-8722-0), p. 12
  2. "Corrections Made to Official List of Popes". ZENIT. 5 June 2001. Archived from the original on 19 January 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2008.
  3. "Papal Primacy of honour: titles and insignia". Newadvent.org. 1 June 1911. Archived from the original on 31 May 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  4. Lipsius, Richard Adelbert (1869). Chronologie der römischen Bischöfe bis zur Mitte des vierten Jahrhunderts [Chronology of the Roman bishops until the middle of the fourth century] (in German). Kiel: Schwersche Buchhandlung. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  5. The List of Popes Archived 9 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine . The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1911. The exception is Saint Peter, who is given the traditional death date of AD 67.
  6. 1 2 Fahlbusch, Erwin; et al., eds. (2005). "Pope, Papacy". Evangelisches Kirchenlexikon [The encyclopedia of Christianity]. Vol. 4. Translated by Bromiley, Geoffrey William. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. pp. 272–282. ISBN   978-0-8028-2416-5 . Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  7. Against Heresies 3:3.3
  8. Kirsch, Johann Peter (1910). "Pope St. Linus". Catholic Encyclopedia . Vol. 9. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  9. The fourth pope Archived 8 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine Discussed in the article on Clement I
  10. Cross, Frank Leslie; Livingstone, Elizabeth A. (2005). The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. Oxford University Press. p. 363. ISBN   978-0-19-280290-3. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2022.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. Fisher, Max (13 March 2013). "WorldViews Sorry, Jorge Mario Bergoglio is not the first non-European pope". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  12. Mcbrien, Richard P. (2006). The Pocket Guide to the Popes. HarperCollins. pp. 30–31. ISBN   978-0-06-113773-0. Archived from the original on 10 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
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  17. Deno John Geanakoplos (15 September 1989). Constantinople and the West: essays on the late Byzantine (Palaeologan) and Italian Renaissances and the Byzantine and Roman churches. Univ of Wisconsin Press. pp. 263–. ISBN   978-0-299-11884-6. Archived from the original on 10 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  18. "Pope Blessed Eugene III, New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia". Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  19. For the dates of death of Clement III and the election of Celestine III see Katrin Baaken: Zu Wahl, Weihe und Krönung Papst Cölestins III. Deutsches Archiv für Erforschung des Mittelalters Volume 41 / 1985, pp. 203–211
  20. Philip Hughes, "Innocent III & the Latin East", History of the Church, vol. 2, p. 371, Sheed & Ward, 1948.
  21. The Deaths of the Popes: Comprehensive Accounts, Including Funerals, Burial Places and Epitaphs. McFarland. 2010. ISBN   978-0-7864-6116-5. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  22. Papal Genealogy: The Families and Descendants of the Popes. McFarland. 2004. ISBN   978-0-7864-2071-1. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  23. "Amadeus VIII | antipope and duke of Savoy". 3 January 2024. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
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  30. "Pope Alexander VII (1655–1667)". GCatholic. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  31. "Pope Innocent X (1644–1655)". Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  32. "Pope Clement IX (1667–1669)". Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  33. "Pope Clement X (1670–1676)". Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  34. "Pope Innocent XI (1676–1689)". Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  35. Heilbron, John L. (2005). "Censorship of Astronomy in Italy after Galileo". In McMullin, Ernan (ed.). The Church and Galileo. University of Notre Dame Press. p. 299. ISBN   978-0-268-03483-2.
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  38. "The Wind was too Strong". Rome Art Lover. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  39. Harrison, especially Conclusion section 2
  40. "Catholic Education Resource Center". Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  41. "The Contemporary Relevance of Augustine". Archived from the original on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  42. Pius XII, encyclical Humani generis 36 Archived April 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  43. Brown, Andrew (11 February 2013). "Benedict, the placeholder pope who leaves a battered, weakened church". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 March 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  44. Pianigiani, Gaia; Povoledo, Elisabetta (27 February 2013). "Benedict XVI to Keep His Name and Become Pope Emeritus". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 21 July 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  45. "The 95-year-old Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away at the Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae Monastery". Vatican News. 31 December 2022. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  46. Scarisbrick, Veronica (22 March 2013). "Pope Francis : "Miserando atque eligendo"..." Vatican Radio. The Holy See. Vatican Radio. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  47. "Pope Francis celebrates first papal mass in Arabian Peninsula". 5 February 2019. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  48. Sage, Alexandria (8 May 2025). "Soft-spoken Prevost is first pope from the US (and Peru)". Buenos Aires Times. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  49. Collyns, Dan (8 May 2025). "'The pope is Peruvian': elation in country where pontiff served as bishop". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  50. Sporzynski, Darius von Guttner (9 May 2025). "'Peace be with all of you': how Pope Leo XIV embodies a living dialogue between tradition and modernity". The Conversation. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  51. Watling, Tom; Bedigan, Mike (8 May 2025). "Chicago-born Robert Prevost appointed 267th Pope". The Independent. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
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  53. 1 2 Annuario pontificio per l'anno 1942. Rome. 1942. p. 21. 205. Gregorio XII, Veneto, Correr (c. 1406, cessò a. 1409, m. 1417) – Pont. a. 2, m. 6. g. 4. 206. Alessandro V, dell'Isola di Candia, Filargo (c. 1409, m. 1410). - Pont. m. 10, g. 8. 207. Giovanni XXII o XXIII o XXIV, Napoletano, Cossa (c. 1410, cessò dal pontificare 29 mag. 1415{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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Further reading