List of popes

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Popes buried in St. Peter's
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Popes buried in St. Peter's

This is a list of Popes of the Catholic Church.


While the term "Pope" (Latin: papa "father'") is used in several churches to denote their high spiritual leaders, this title in English usage generally refers to the supreme earthly head of the Roman Catholic Church. The title itself has been used officially by the head of the Roman Catholic Church since the tenure of Pope Siricius.

Hermannus Contractus may have been the first historian to number the popes continuously. His list ends in 1049 with Pope Leo IX as the number 154. On that basis, the current Pope Benedict XVI would be the 267th pope.

There is no official list of popes, but the Annuario Pontificio, published every year by the Vatican, contains a list that is generally considered to be the most authoritative. Its list is the one given here. The Annuario Pontificio's list gives Benedict XVI as the 265th pope.

Several changes have been made in the list during the 20th century. Antipope Christopher was considered legitimate for a long time. Pope-elect Stephen was considered legitimate under the name Stephen II until the 1961 edition and erased then. Although these changes are no more controversial, a number of modern lists still include this "first Pope Stephen II". It is probable that this is because they are based on the 1913 edition of the Catholic Encyclopaedia, which is in the public domain.

The pope also bears the spiritual titles Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province and Servant of the Servants of God. Since 1929, the pope's temporal title has been Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City (the Holy See).

Contents

List of popes

Began AD 30-249

Pontificate Common English Name Regnal (Latin) Name Personal Name Place of Birth Notes
30 to 67 Peter
Saint Peter
Petrus, Head of the Church Simon Peter
שמעון בן יונה
(Shimon ben Yona)
Shimon Kipha
ΣΙΜΗΟΝ ΚΗΦΑΣ
(Simeon Kephas)
Bethsaida, Galilea Disciple of Jesus from whom he received the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, according to Matthew 16:18-19.
post42/ante57 to 64/67(?) Petrus, Episcopus Romanus Executed by crucifixion upside-down; feast day (Feast of Saints Peter and Paul) 29 June, (Chair of Peter) 22 February
64/67(?) to 76/79(?) Linus
Saint Linus
Linus, Episcopus Romanus Linus Tuscia (Northern Latium) Traditionally martyred (no evidence); Feast day 23 September
76/79(?) to 88 Anacletus
(Cletus)
Saint Anacletus
Anacletus, Episcopus Romanus Anacletus Probably Greece Martyred; feast day 26 April
88/92 to 97/101 Clement I
Saint Clement
Clemens, Episcopus Romanus   Rome Martyred; feast day 23 November
97/99 to 105/107 Evaristus
(Aristus)
Saint Evaristus
Evaristus, Episcopus Romanus Aristus   Traditionally martyred (no evidence); feast day 26 October
105/107 to 115/116 Alexander I
Saint Alexander
Alexander, Episcopus Romanus Alexander Rome  
115/116 to 125 Sixtus I
Saint Sixtus
Xystus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome or Greece  
125 to 136/138 Telesphorus
Saint Telesphorus
Telesphorus, Episcopus Romanus   Greece  
136/138 to 140/142 Hyginus
Saint Hyginus
Hyginus, Episcopus Romanus   Greece Traditionally martyred (no evidence); feast day 11 January
140/142 to 155 Pius I
Saint Pius
Pius, Episcopus Romanus   Aquileia, Friuli, Italy Martyred by sword; feast day 11 July
155 to 166 Anicetus
Saint Anicetus
Anicetus, Episcopus Romanus   Emesa, Syria Traditionally martyred (no evidence); feast day 17 April
c.166 to 174/175 Soter
Saint Soter
Soterius, Episcopus Romanus   Fondi, Latium, Italy Traditionally martyred; feast day 22 April
174/175 to 189 Eleuterus
Saint Eleutherus
Eleutherius, Episcopus Romanus   Nicopoli, Epyrus Traditionally martyred; feast day 6 May
189 to 198/199 Victor I
Saint Victor
Victor, Episcopus Romanus   Northern Africa  
199 to 217 Zephyrinus
Saint Zephyrin
Zephyrinus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
c.217 to 222/223 Callixtus I
Saint Callixtus
Callistus, Episcopus Romanus     Martyred; feast day 14 October
222/223 to 230 Urban I
Saint Urban
Urbanus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
21 July 230 to 28 September 235 Pontian
Saint Pontian
Pontianus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
235 to 3 January 236 Anterus
Saint Anterus
Anterus, Episcopus Romanus   Greece  
10 January 236 to 20 January 250 Fabian
Saint Fabian
Fabianus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  

Began AD 250-499

Pontificate Common English Name Regnal Name Personal Name Place of Birth Notes
March/April 251 to June 253 Cornelius
Saint Cornelius
Cornelius, Episcopus Romanus     Died a martyr, through extreme hardship; feast day 16 September
25 June 253 to 5 March 254 Lucius I
Saint Lucius
Lucius, Episcopus Romanus   Rome Feast day 4 March
12 May 254 to 2 August 257 Stephen I
Saint Stephen
Stephanus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome Martyred by beheading; feast day 2 August
30/31 August 257 to 6 August 258 Sixtus II
Saint Sixtus II
Xystus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus   Greece Martyred by beheading
22 July 259 to 26 December 268 Dionysius
Saint Dionysius
Dionysius, Episcopus Romanus   Greece Feast day 26 December
5 January 269 to 30 December 274 Felix I
Saint Felix
Felix, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
4 January 275 to December 283 Eutychian
Saint Eutychian
Eutychianus, Episcopus Romanus      
17 December 283 to 22 April 296 Caius
Saint Caius
Caius, Episcopus Romanus      
296 to 304 Marcellinus
Saint Marcellinus
Marcellinus, Episcopus Romanus      
308 to 309 Marcellus
Saint Marcellus
Marcellus, Episcopus Romanus      
c.309 to c.310 Eusebius
Saint Eusebius
Eusebius, Episcopus Romanus      
2 July 311 to 11 January 314 Miltiades
Melchiades
Saint Miltiades
Miltiades, Episcopus Romanus   Africa First pope after the end of the persecution of Christians through the Edict of Milan (313 AD) issued by Constantine the Great
31 January 314 to 31 December 335 Silvester I
Saint Silvester
Silvester, Episcopus Romanus      
18 January 336 to 7 October 336 Mark
Saint Mark
Marcus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome Feast day 7 October
6 February 337 to 12 April 352 Julius I
Saint Julius
Iulius, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
17 May 352 to 24 September 366 Liberius Liberius, Episcopus Romanus     Oldest Pope not yet canonized
1 October 366 to 11 December 384 Damasus I
Saint Damasus
Damasus, Episcopus Romanus   Guimarães  
11 December 384 to 26 November 399 Siricius
Saint Siricius
Papa Siricius, Episcopus Romanus     First to employ the title "Papa" ("Pope")
27 November 399 to 19 December 401 Anastasius I
Saint Anastasius
Papa Anastasius, Episcopus Romanus      
22 December 401 to 12 March 417 Innocent I
Saint Innocent
Papa Innocentius, Episcopus Romanus      
18 March 417 to 26 December 418 Zosimus
Saint Zosimus
Papa Zosimus, Episcopus Romanus      
28/29 December 418 to 4 September 422 Boniface I
Saint Boniface
Papa Bonifacius, Episcopus Romanus      
10 September 422 to 27 July 432 Celestine I
Saint Celestine
Papa Coelestinus, Episcopus Romanus      
31 July 432 to March/August 440 Sixtus III
Saint Sixtus
Papa Xystus Tertius, Episcopus Romanus      
29 September 440 to 10 November 461 Leo I
Saint Leo
Leo the Great
Papa Leo Magnus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome Convinced Attila the Hun to turn back his invasion of Italy
19 November 461 to 29 February 468 Hilarius
Saint Hilarius
Papa Hilarius, Episcopus Romanus      
3 March 468 to 10 March 483 Simplicius
Saint Simplicius
Papa Simplicius, Episcopus Romanus   Tivoli, Italy  
13 March 483 to 1 March 492 Felix III
Saint Felix
Papa Felix Tertius, Episcopus Romanus   Rome Sometimes called Felix II
1 March 492 to 21 November 496 Gelasius I
Saint Gelasius
Papa Gelasius, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
24 November 496 to 19 November 498 Anastasius II Papa Anastasius Secundus, Episcopus Romanus      
22 November 498 to 19 July 514 Symmachus
Saint Symmachus
Papa Symmachus, Episcopus Romanus   Sardinia  

Began AD 500-749

Pontificate Common English Name Regnal Name Personal Name Place of Birth Notes
20 July 514 to 19 July 523 Hormisdas
Saint Hormisdas
Papa Hormisdus, Episcopus Romanus   Frosinone, Southern Latium, Italy Father of Pope Silverius
13 August 523 to 18 May 526 John I
Saint John
Papa Ioannes, Episcopus Romanus   Tuscany  
13 July 526 to 22 September 530 Felix IV
Saint Felix
Papa Felix Quartus, Episcopus Romanus   Samnium Sometimes called Felix III
22 September 530 to 17 October 532 Boniface II Papa Bonifacius Secundus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome to Ostrogoth parents  
2 January 533 to 8 May 535 John II Papa Ioannes Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Mercurius Rome First pope to not use personal name. This was due to Mercury being a Roman god.
13 May 535 to 22 April 536 Agapetus I
Agapitus
Saint Agapetus
Papa Agapetus, Episcopus Romanus     Feast days 22 April, 20 September
1 June 536 to 11 November 537 Silverius
Saint Silverius
Papa Silverius, Episcopus Romanus     Exiled; feast day 20 June, son of Pope Hormisdas
29 March 537 to 7 June 555 Vigilius Papa Vigilius, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
16 April 556 to 4 March 561 Pelagius I Papa Pelagius, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
17 July 561 to 13 July 574 John III Papa Ioannes Tertius, Episcopus Romanus Catelinus    
2 June 575 to 30 July 579 Benedict I Papa Benedictus, Episcopus Romanus      
26 November 579 to 7 February 590 Pelagius II Papa Pelagius Secundus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
3 September 590 to 12 March 604 Gregory I, O.S.B.
Saint Gregory
Gregory the Great
Papa Gregorius Magnus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome First to formally employ the titles "Servus servorum Dei" and "Pontifex Maximus"
13 September 604 to 22 February 606 Sabinian
Saint Sabinian
Papa Sabinianus, Episcopus Romanus   Blera  
19 February 607 to 12 November 607 Boniface III Papa Bonifacius Tertius, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
25 August 608 to 8 May 615 Boniface IV, O.S.B.
Saint Boniface
Papa Bonifacius Quartus, Episcopus Romanus   Marsi First Pope to bear the same name as his predecessor
19 October 615 to 8 November 618 Adeodatus I Papa Adeodatus,
or Papa Deusdedit Episcopus Romanus
  Rome Sometimes called Deusdedit, and then Pope Adeodatus II is called Pope Adeodatus without a number
23 December 619 to 25 October 625 Boniface V Papa Bonifacius Quintus, Episcopus Romanus   Naples  
27 October 625 to 12 October 638 Honorius I Papa Honorius, Episcopus Romanus      
October 638 to 2 August 640 Severinus Papa Severinus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
24 December 640 to 12 October 642 John IV Papa Ioannes Quartus, Episcopus Romanus   Zadar, Dalmatia, now Croatia  
24 November 642 to 14 May 649 Theodore I Papa Theodorus, Episcopus Romanus   Palestine  
July 649 to 16 September 655 Martin I
Saint Martin
Papa Martinus, Episcopus Romanus     Feast Day 12 November
10 August 654 to 2 June 657 Eugene I
Saint Eugene
Papa Eugenius, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
30 July 657 to 27 January 672 Vitalian
Saint Vitalian
Papa Vitalianus, Episcopus Romanus      
11 April 672 to 17 June 676 Adeodatus II, O.S.B. Papa Adeodatus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus     Sometimes called Pope Adeodatus (without a number) when Pope Adeodatus I is called Pope Deusdedit
2 November 676 to 11 April 678 Donus Papa Donus, Episcopus Romanus      
27 June 678 to 10 January 681 Agatho
Saint Agatho
Papa Agatho, Episcopus Romanus   Sicily  
December 681 to 3 July 683 Leo II
Saint Leo
Papa Leo Secundus, Episcopus Romanus   Sicily Feast day 3 July
683/26 June 684 to 8 May 685 Benedict II
Saint Benedict
Papa Benedictus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus     Feast day 7 May
12 July 685 to 2 August 686 John V Papa Ioannes Quintus, Episcopus Romanus   Syria  
21 October 686 to 22 September 687 Conon Papa Conon, Episcopus Romanus      
15 December 687 to 8 September 701 Sergius I
Saint Sergius
Papa Sergius, Episcopus Romanus   Sicily  
30 October 701 to 11 January 705 John VI Papa Ioannes Sextus, Episcopus Romanus   Greece  
1 March 705 to 18 October 707 John VII Papa Ioannes Septumus, Episcopus Romanus   Greece Second Pope to bear the same name as his predecessor
15 January 708 to 4 February 708 Sisinnius Papa Sisinnius, Episcopus Romanus   Syria  
25 March 708 to 9 April 715 Constantine Papa Constantinus, Episcopus Romanus   Syria  
19 May 715 to 11 February 731 Gregory II
Saint Gregory
Papa Gregorius Secundus, Episcopus Romanus     Feast day 11 February
18 March 731 to 28 November 741 Gregory III Papa Gregorius Tertius, Episcopus Romanus   Syria Third Pope to bear the same name as his predecessor
3 December 741 to 14 March/22 March 752 Zachary
Saint Zachary
Papa Zacharias, Episcopus Romanus   Greece Feast day 15 March

Began AD 750-999

Pontificate Common English Name Regnal Name Personal Name Place of Birth Notes
23 March 752 to 25 March 752 (Stephen) Stephanus     Sometimes known as Stephen II. Died three days after his election, prior to his consecration as bishop. Added in the 16th Century to the Vatican's list of popes, but deleted again in 1961.
26 March 752 to 26 April 757 Stephen II Papa Stephanus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus     Sometimes called Stephen III
29 May 757 to 28 June 767 Paul I
Saint Paul
Papa Paulus, Episcopus Romanus      
1 August 767 to 24 January 772 Stephen III Papa Stephanus Tertius, Episcopus Romanus     Sometimes called Stephen IV
1 February 772 to 26 December 795 Adrian I Papa Hadrianus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
26 December 795 to 12 June 816 Leo III Papa Leo Tertius, Episcopus Romanus      
12 June 816 to 24 January 817 Stephen IV Papa Stephanus Quartus, Episcopus Romanus     Sometimes called Stephen V
25 January 817 to 11 February 824 Paschal I
Saint Paschal
Papa Paschalis, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
8 May 824 to August 827 Eugene II Papa Eugenius Secundus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
August 827 to September 827 Valentine Papa Valentinus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
827 to January 844 Gregory IV Papa Gregorius Quartus, Episcopus Romanus      
January 844 to 7 January 847 Sergius II Papa Sergius Secundus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
January 847 to 17 July 855 Leo IV, O.S.B.
Saint Leo
Papa Leo Quartus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
855 to 7 April 858 Benedict III Papa Benedictus Tertius, Episcopus Romanus      
24 April 858 to 13 November 867 Nicholas I
Saint Nicholas
Nicholas the Great
Papa Nicolaus Magnus Episcopus Romanus      
14 December 867 to 14 December 872 Adrian II Papa Hadrianus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
14 December 872 to 16 December 882 John VIII Papa Ioannes Octavus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
16 December 882 to 15 May 884 Marinus I Papa Marinus, Episcopus Romanus      
17 May 884 to c.September 885 Adrian III
Saint Adrian
Papa Hadrianus Tertius, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
885 to 14 September 891 Stephen V Papa Stephanus Quintus, Episcopus Romanus     Sometimes called Stephen VI
19 September 891 to 4 April 896 Formosus Papa Formosus, Episcopus Romanus   Ostia Posthumously executed following the Cadaver Synod
4 April 896 to 19 April 896 Boniface VI Papa Bonifacius Sextus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
22 May 896 to August 897 Stephen VI Papa Stephanus Sextus, Episcopus Romanus     Sometimes called Stephen VII
August 897 to November 897 Romanus Papa Romanus, Episcopus Romanus      
December 897 Theodore II Papa Theodorus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus      
January 898 to January 900 John IX, O.S.B. Papa Ioannes Nonus, Episcopus Romanus      
900 to 903 Benedict IV Papa Benedictus Quartus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
July 903 to September 903 Leo V Papa Leo Quintus, Episcopus Romanus   Ardea  
29 January 904 to 14 April 911 Sergius III Papa Sergius Tertius, Episcopus Romanus   Rome "Pornocracy" begins
April 911 to June 913 Anastasius III Papa Anastasius Tertius, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
July/August 913 to February/March 914 Lando Papa Lando, Episcopus Romanus   Sabina, Italy  
March 914 to May 928 John X Papa Ioannes Decimus, Episcopus Romanus      
May 928 to December 928 Leo VI Papa Leo Sextus, Episcopus Romanus      
December 928 to February 931 Stephen VII Papa Stephanus Septimus, Episcopus Romanus     Sometimes called Stephen VIII
February/March 931 to December 935 John XI Papa Ioannes Undecimus, Episcopus Romanus      
3 January 936 to 13 July 939 Leo VII, O.S.B. Papa Leo Septimus, Episcopus Romanus      
14 July 939 to October 942 Stephen VIII Papa Stephanus Octavus, Episcopus Romanus     Sometimes called Stephen IX
30 October 942 to May 946 Marinus II Papa Marinus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus      
10 May 946 to December 955 Agapetus II Papa Agapetus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus      
16 December 955 to 14 May 964 John XII Papa Ioannes Duodecimus, Episcopus Romanus Octavian   Deposed in 963 by Emperor Otto invalidly; end of the "Pornocracy"
22 May 964 to 23 June 964 Benedict V Papa Benedictus Quintus, Episcopus Romanus     Elected after John XII's death by the people of Rome, in opposition to the Antipope Leo VIII who was appointed by Emperor Otto; Benedict accepted his deposition in 964 leaving Leo as sole pope.
July 964 to 1 March 965 Leo VIII Papa Leo Octavus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome Appointed antipope by Emperor Otto in 963 in opposition to John XII and Benedict V. He became the true Pope after Benedict V was deposed
1 October 965 to 6 September 972 John XIII Papa Ioannes Tertius Decimus, Episcopus Romanus      
19 January 973 to June 974 Benedict VI Papa Benedictus Sextus, Episcopus Romanus     Deposed and murdered
October 974 to 10 July 983 Benedictus VII Papa Benedictus Septimus, Episcopus Romanus      
December 983 to 20 August 984 John XIV Papa Ioannes Quartus Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Pietro Campanora Pavia  
August 985 to March 996 John XV Papa Ioannes Quintus Decimus, Episcopus Romanus   Rome  
3 May 996 to 18 February 999 Gregory V Papa Gregorius Quintus, Episcopus Romanus Bruno of Carinthia   First German Pope
2 April 999 to 12 May 1003 Silvester II Papa Silvester Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Gerbert d'Aurillac Auvergne region of France First French Pope

Began AD 1000-1249

Pontificate Common English Name Regnal Name Personal Name Place of Birth Notes
June 1003 to December 1003 John XVII Papa Ioannes Septimus Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Siccone Rome  
25 December 1003 to July 1009 John XVIII Papa Ioannes Duodevicesimus, Episcopus Romanus Giovanni Fasano; Phasianus Rome  
31 July 1009 to 12 May 1012 Sergius IV Papa Sergius Quartus, Episcopus Romanus Pietro Boccapecora Rome  
18 May 1012 to 9 April 1024 Benedict VIII Papa Benedictus Octavus, Episcopus Romanus Theophylactus II, Conti di Tusculum Rome  
April/May 1024 to 20 October 1032 John XIX Papa Ioannes Undevicesimus, Episcopus Romanus Romanus, Conti di Tusculum Rome  
1032 to 1044 Benedict IX Papa Benedictus Nonus, Episcopus Romanus Theophylactus III, Conti di Tusculum Rome 1st Term; abdicated for financial reward
1045 Silvester III Papa Silvester Tertius, Episcopus Romanus John, Bishop of Sabina Rome Validity of election questioned; considered Anti-Pope; deposed at the Council of Sutri.
1045 to 1046 Benedict IX Papa Benedictus Nonus, Episcopus Romanus Theophylactus III, Conti di Tusculum Rome 2nd Term; deposed at the Council of Sutri
April/May 1045 to 20 December 1046 Gregory VI Papa Gregorius Sextus, Episcopus Romanus Johannes Gratianus   Deposed at the Council of Sutri
24 December 1046 to 9 October 1047 Clement II Papa Clemens Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Suidger Saxony  
November 1047 to 1048 Benedict IX Papa Benedictus Nonus, Episcopus Romanus Theophylactus III, Conti di Tusculum   3rd Term; deposed and excommunicated
17 July 1048 to 9 August 1048 Damasus II Papa Damasus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Poppo Tirol  
12 February 1049 to 19 April 1054 Leo IX
Saint Leo
Papa Leo Nonus, Episcopus Romanus Bruno, Count of Dagsbourg Alsace  
13 April 1055 to 28 July 1057 Victor II Papa Victor Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Gebhard, Count of Calw, Tollenstein, and Hirschberg Germany  
2 August 1057 to 29 March 1058 Stephen IX, O.S.B. Papa Stephanus Nonus, Episcopus Romanus Frederic de Lorraine; Frederick of Lorraine   Sometimes called Stephen X
6 December 1058 to 27 July 1061 Nicholas II Papa Nicolaus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Gérard de Bourgogne; Gerard of Burgundy    
30 September 1061 to 21 April 1073 Alexander II Papa Alexander Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Anselmo da Baggio Baggio, Milan, Italy  
22 April 1073 to 25 May 1085 Gregory VII, O.S.B.
Saint Gregory
Papa Gregorius Septimus, Episcopus Romanus Hildebrand Soana, Tuscany, Italy Restricted the use of title "Papa" to the Bishop of Rome
24 May 1086 to 16 September 1087 Victor III, O.S.B.
Blessed Victor
Papa Victor Tertius, Episcopus Romanus Desiderio; Desiderius; Dauferius Southern Italy  
12 March 1088 to 29 July 1099 Urban II, O.S.B.
Blessed Urban
Papa Urbanus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Odo of Lagery France Started the First Crusade
13 August 1099 to 21 January 1118 Paschal II, O.Cist. Papa Paschalis Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Raniero Romagna, Italy  
24 January 1118 to 28 January 1119 Gelasius II, O.S.B. Papa Gelasius Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Giovanni Coniulo Gaeta, Latium, Italy  
2 February 1119 to 13 December 1124 Callixtus II Papa Callistus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Guido, Comte de Bourgogne France Opened the First Council of the Lateran in 1123
15 December 1124 to 13 February 1130 Honorius II Papa Honorius Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Lamberto Scannabecchi Imola, Romagna, Italy  
14 February 1130 to 24 September 1143 Innocent II Papa Innocentius Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Gregorio Papareschi Rome, Italy Convened the Second Council of the Lateran, 1139
26 September 1143 to 8 March 1144 Celestine II Papa Coelestinus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Guido Città di Castello, Umbria, Italy
12 March 1144 to 15 March 1145 Lucius II Papa Lucius Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Gerardo Caccianemici dal Orso Bologna, Italy  
15 February 1145 to 8 July 1153 Eugene III, O.Cist.
Blessed Eugene
Papa Eugenius Tertius, Episcopus Romanus Bernardo Pignatelli Pisa, Tuscany, Italy  
8 July 1153 to 3 December 1154 Anastasius IV Papa Anastasius Quartus, Episcopus Romanus Corrado Rome  
4 December 1154 to 1 September 1159 Adrian IV, O.S.A. Papa Hadrianus Quartus, Episcopus Romanus Nicholas Breakspear England Only English pope; granted Ireland to Henry II, King of England
7 September 1159 to 30 August 1181 Alexander III Papa Alexander Tertius, Episcopus Romanus Rolando Bandinelli Siena, Tuscany, Italy Convened the Third Council of the Lateran, 1179
1 September 1181 to 25 November 1185 Lucius III Papa Lucius Tertius, Episcopus Romanus Ubaldo Allucingoli Lucca, Tuscany, Italy  
25 November 1185 to 19 October 1187 Urban III Papa Urbanus Tertius, Episcopus Romanus Uberto Crivelli Milan, Italy  
21 October 1187 to 17 December 1187 Gregory VIII Papa Gregorius Octavus, Episcopus Romanus Alberto di Morra Benevento, Campania, Italy Proposed the Third Crusade
19 December 1187 to 27 March 1191 Clement III Papa Clemens Tertius, Episcopus Romanus Paulino Scolari Rome  
30 March 1191 to 8 January 1198 Celestine III Papa Coelestinus Tertius, Episcopus Romanus Giacinto Bobone Rome  
8 January 1198 to 16 July 1216 Innocent III Papa Innocentius Tertius, Episcopus Romanus Lothario dei Conti di Segni Gavignano, Latium, Italy Convened the Fourth Council of the Lateran, 1215
18 July 1216 to 18 March 1227 Honorius III Papa Honorius Tertius, Episcopus Romanus Cencio Savelli Rome  
19 March 1227 to 22 August 1241 Gregory IX Papa Gregorius Nonus, Episcopus Romanus Ugolino dei Conti di Segni Anagni, Latium, Italy  
25 October 1241 to 10 November 1241 Celestine IV, O.S.B. Papa Coelestinus Quartus, Episcopus Romanus Goffredo Castiglioni Milan, Italy  
25 June 1243 to 7 December 1254 Innocent IV Papa Innocentius Quartus, Episcopus Romanus Sinibaldo Fieschi Genoa, Italy Convened the First Council of Lyons, 1245

Began AD 1254-1492

Pontificate Common English Name Regnal Name Personal Name Place of Birth Notes
12 December 1254 to 25 May 1261 Alexander IV Papa Alexander Quartus, Episcopus Romanus Rinaldo dei Conti di Segni; Rinaldo Conti Anagni, Italy  
29 August 1261 to 2 October 1264 Urban IV Papa Urbanus Quartus, Episcopus Romanus Jacques Pantaléon Troyes, France  
5 February 1265 to 29 November 1268 Clement IV Papa Clemens Quartus, Episcopus Romanus Gui Faucoi le Gros (angl: Guy Foulques the Fat) Saint-Gilles, France  
29 November 1268 to 1 September 1271   interregnum      
1 September 1271 to 10 January 1276 Gregory X, O.Cist.
Blessed Gregory
Papa Gregorius Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Tebaldo Visconti Piacenza, italy Convened the Second Council of Lyons, 1274
21 January 1276 to 22 June 1276 Innocent V, O.P.
Blessed Innocent
Papa Innocentius Quintus, Episcopus Romanus Pierre de Tarentaise Savoy, France  
11 July 1276 to 18 August 1276 Adrian V Papa Hadrianus Quintus, Episcopus Romanus Ottobuono Fieschi Genoa, Italy  
8 September 1276 to 20 May 1277 John XXI Papa Ioannes Vicesimus Primus, Episcopus Romanus Pedro Hispano Lisbon, Portugal Killed in the collapse of his scientific laboratory; the first Portuguese pope
25 November 1277 to 22 August 1280 Nicholas III, O.S.B. Papa Nicolaus Tertius, Episcopus Romanus Giovanni Gaetano Orsini Rome, Italy  
22 February 1281 to 28 March 1285 Martin IV Papa Martinus Quartus, Episcopus Romanus Simon de Brion; Simon de Brie Touraine, France  
2 April 1285 to 3 April 1287 Honorius IV Papa Honorius Quartus, Episcopus Romanus Giacomo Savelli Rome, Italy  
22 February 1288 to 4 April 1292 Nicholas IV, O.F.M. Papa Nicolaus Quartus, Episcopus Romanus Girolamo Masci Ascoli, Italy  
4 April 1292 to 5 July 1294   interregnum      
5 July 1294 to 13 December 1294 Celestine V, O.S.B.
Saint Celestine
Papa Coelestinus Quintus, Episcopus Romanus Pietro da Morrone Moline, Italy One of only two popes who abdicated
24 December 1294 to 11 October 1303 Boniface VIII Papa Bonifacius Octavus, Episcopus Romanus Benedetto Caetani Anagni, Italy  
22 October 1303 to 7 July 1304 Benedict XI, O.P.
Blessed Bendedict
Papa Benedictus Undecimus, Episcopus Romanus Niccolò Boccasini Treviso, Italy Convened the Council of Vienne, 1311-1312
5 June 1305 to 20 April 1314 Clement V Papa Clemens Quintus, Episcopus Romanus Bertrand de Got Bordeaux, France Pope at Avignon. Suppressed the Knights Templar at the Council of Vienne.
20 April 1314 to 7 August 1316   interregnum      
7 August 1316 to 4 December 1334 John XXII Papa Ioannes Vicesimus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Jacques d'Euse; Jacques Duèse Cahors, France Pope at Avignon
20 December 1334 to 25 April 1342 Benedict XII, O.Cist. Papa Benedictus Duodecimus, Episcopus Romanus Jacques Fournier Saverdun, France Pope at Avignon
7 May 1342 to 6 December 1352 Clement VI Papa Clemens Sextus, Episcopus Romanus Pierre Roger Limoges, France Pope at Avignon
18 December 1352 to 12 September 1362 Innocent VI Papa Innocentius Sextus, Episcopus Romanus Étienne Aubert; Stephen Aubert Beyssac, France Pope at Avignon
28 September 1362 to 19 December 1370 Urban V, O.S.B.
Blessed Urban
Papa Urbanus Quintus, Episcopus Guillaume Grimoard; Guillaume de Grimoard Languedoc, France Pope at Avignon
30 December 1370 to 26 March 1378 Gregory XI Papa Gregorius Undecimus, Episcopus Romanus Pierre Roger de Beaufort Limoges, France Pope at Avignon; returns to Rome
8 April 1378 to 15 October 1389 Urban VI Papa Urbanus Sextus, Episcopus Romanus Bartolomeo Prignano Naples, Italy Western Schism
2 November 1389 to 1 October 1404 Boniface IX Papa Bonifacius Nonus, Episcopus Romanus Pietro Tomacelli Naples, Italy Western Schism
17 October 1404 to 6 November 1406 Innocent VII Papa Innocentius Septimus, Episcopus Romanus Cosimo Gentile Migliorati Abruzzi, Italy Western Schism
30 November 1406 to 4 July 1415 Gregory XII Papa Gregorius Duodecimus, Episcopus Romanus Angelo Correr Venice, Italy Western Schism; abdicated during the Council of Constance, which had been called by his opponent John XXIII.
4 July 1415 to 11 November 1417   interregnum      
11 November 1417 to 20 February 1431 Martin V Papa Martinus Quintus, Episcopus Romanus Oddone Colonna Rome, Italy Convened the Council of Basel, 1431
3 March 1431 to 23 February 1447 Eugene IV, O.S.A. Papa Eugenius Quartus, Episcopus Romanus Gabriele Condulmer Venice, Italy crowned Sigismund emperor at Rome in 1433.
6 March 1447 to 24 March 1455 Nicholas V, O.P. Papa Nicolaus Quintus, Episcopus Romanus Tommaso Parentucelli Sarzana, Liguria, Italy Held Jubilee of 1450; crowned Frederick III emperor at Rome in 1452.
8 April 1455 to 6 August 1458 Callixtus III Papa Callistus Tertius, Episcopus Romanus Alfonso de Borgia Xàtiva, València, Spain First Spanish Pope
19 August 1458 to 15 August 1464 Pius II Papa Pius Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Enea Silvio Piccolomini Siena, Italy  
30 August 1464 to 26 July 1471 Paul II Papa Paulus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Pietro Barbo Venice, Italy Nephew of Eugene IV
9 August 1471 to 12 August 1484 Sixtus IV, O.F.M. Papa Xystus Quartus, Episcopus Romanus Francesco della Rovere Savona, Italy Member of the Franciscan Order, Commissioned the Sistine Chapel
29 August 1484 to 25 July 1492 Innocent VIII Papa Innocentius Octavus, Episcopus Romanus Giovanni Battista Cybo Genoa, Italy Appointed Tomás de Torquemada
11 August 1492 to 18 August 1503 Alexander VI Papa Alexander Sextus, Episcopus Romanus Rodrigo de Lanzòl-Borgia Xàtiva, València, Spain Nephew of Callixtus III. Father to Cesare Borgia and Lucrezia Borgia. Divided the extra-European world between Spain and Portugal in 1493 by the Bull Inter caetera.

Began AD 1503-1740

Pontificate Common English Name Regnal Name Personal Name Place of Birth Notes
22 September 1503 to 18 October 1503 Pius III Papa Pius Tertius, Episcopus Romanus Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini Siena, Tuscany, Italy Nephew of Pius II
31 October 1503 to 21 February 1513 Julius II, O.F.M. Papa Iulius Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Giuliano della Rovere Albisola, Savona, Italy Nephew of Sixtus IV; Convened the Fifth Council of the Lateran, 1512. Took effective control of the whole territory of the Papal States for the first time. Proposed plans for rebuilding of Saint Peter's Basilica
9 March 1513 to 1 December 1521 Leo X Papa Leo Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici Florence, Italy Son of Lorenzo the Magnificent. Excommunicated Martin Luther
9 January 1522 to 14 September 1523 Adrian VI Papa Hadrianus Sextus, Episcopus Romanus Adriaan Floriszoon Boeyens Utrecht, Holy Roman Empire (presently The Netherlands) The only Dutch Pope. Last non-Italian to be elected pope until John Paul II in 1978. The tutor of Emperor Charles V
26 November 1523 to 25 September 1534 Clement VII Papa Clemens Septimus, Episcopus Romanus Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici Florence, Italy Cousin of Leo X. Rome plundered by imperial troops ("Sacco di Roma"), 1527. He forbade the divorce of Henry VIII and crowned Charles V Emperor at Bologna in 1550. His niece Catherine de' Medici was married to the son of the French king.
13 October 1534 to 10 November 1549 Paul III Papa Paulus Tertius, Episcopus Romanus Alessandro Farnese Canino, Viterbo, Italy Opened the Council of Trent in 1545. His illegitimate son became the first Duke of Parma.
29 November 1549 to 29 March 1555 Julius III Papa Iulius Tertius, Episcopus Romanus Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte Rome, Italy  
9 April 1555 to April 30 or 1 May 1555 Marcellus II Papa Marcellus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Marcello Cervini Montefano, Macerata, Italy Last to use given name as regnal name
23 May 1555 to 18 August 1559 Paul IV Papa Paulus Quartus, Episcopus Romanus Giovanni Pietro Carafa Capriglia, Campania, Italy  
26 December 1559 to 9 December 1565 Pius IV Papa Pius Quartus, Episcopus Romanus Giovanni Angelo Medici Milan, Italy Reopened the Council of Trent, 1562, it concluded its proceedings in 1563
7 January 1566 to 1 May 1572 Pius V, O.P.
Saint Pius
Papa Pius Quintus, Episcopus Romanus Michele Ghislieri Bosco, Alessandria, Italy Excommunicated Elizabeth I of England, 1570. Victory of Lepanto 1571
13 May 1572 to 10 April 1585 Gregory XIII Papa Gregorius Tertius Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Ugo Boncompagni Bologna, Italy Reform of the calendar 1582
24 April 1585 to 27 August 1590 Sixtus V, O.F.M. Conv. Papa Xystus Quintus, Episcopus Romanus Felice Peretti Grottammare, Marche, Italy  
15 September 1590 to 27 September 1590 Urban VII Papa Urbanus Septimus, Episcopus Romanus Giovanni Battista Castagna Rome, Italy  
5 December 1590 to 15 /16 October 1591 Gregory XIV Papa Gregorius Quartus Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Niccolò Sfondrati Cremona, Lombardy, Italy  
29 October 1591 to 30 December 1591 Innocent IX Papa Innocentius Nonus, Episcopus Romanus Giovanni Antonio Facchinetti Bologna, Italy  
30 January 1592 to 3 March 1605 Clement VIII Papa Clemens Octavus, Episcopus Romanus Ippolito Aldobrandini Fano, Marche, Italy  
1 April 1605 to 27 April 1605 Leo XI Papa Leo Undecimus, Episcopus Romanus Alessandro Ottaviano de' Medici Florence, Italy  
16 May 1605 to 28 January 1621 Paul V Papa Paulus Quintus, Episcopus Romanus Camillo Borghese Rome, Italy  
9 February 1621 to 8 July 1623 Gregory XV Papa Gregorius Quintus Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Alessandro Ludovisi Bologna, Italy  
6 August 1623 to 29 July 1644 Urban VIII Papa Urbanus Octavus, Episcopus Romanus Maffeo Barberini Florence, Italy Trial against Galileo Galilei
15 September 1644 to 7 January 1655 Innocent X Papa Innocentius Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Giovanni Battista Pamphilj Rome, Italy  
7 April 1655 to 22 May 1667 Alexander VII Papa Alexander Septimus, Episcopus Romanus Fabio Chigi Siena, Tuscany, Italy  
20 June 1667 to 9 December 1669 Clement IX Papa Clemens Nonus, Episcopus Romanus Giulio Rospigliosi Pistoia, Tuscany, Italy  
29 April 1670 to 22 July 1676 Clement X Papa Clemens Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Emilio Altieri Rome, Italy  
21 September 1676 to 11/12 August 1689 Innocent XI
Blessed Innocent
Papa Innocentius Undecimus, Episcopus Romanus Benedetto Odescalchi Como, Lombardy, Italy  
6 October 1689 to 1 February 1691 Alexander VIII Papa Alexander Octavus, Episcopus Romanus Pietro Vito Ottoboni Padova, Veneto, Italy  
12 July 1691 to 27 September 1700 Innocent XII Papa Innocentius Duodecimus, Episcopus Romanus Antonio Pignatelli Spinazzola, Puglia, Italy  
23 November 1700 to 19 March 1721 Clement XI Papa Clemens Undecimus, Episcopus Romanus Giovanni Francesco Albani Urbino, Marche, Italy  
8 May 1721 to 7 March 1724 Innocent XIII Papa Innocentius Tertius Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Michelangelo de ’Conti; Michael Angelo Conti Poli, Lazio, Italy  
29 May 1724 to 21 February 1730 Benedict XIII, O.P. Papa Benedictus Tertius Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Pierfrancesco Orsini Gravina, Puglia, Italy  
12 July 1730 to 6 February 1740 Clement XII Papa Clemens Duodecimus, Episcopus Romanus Lorenzo Corsini Florence, Italy  
17 August 1740 to 3 May 1758 Benedict XIV Papa Benedictus Quartus Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini Bologna, Italy  

Began AD 1758-2005

Pontificate Common English Name Regnal Name Personal Name Place of Birth Notes
6 July 1758 to 2 February 1769 Clement XIII Papa Clemens Tertius Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Carlo della Torre Rezzonico Venice, Veneto, Italy  
19 May 1769 to 22 September 1774 Clement XIV, O.F.M. Conv. Papa Clemens Quartus Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Giovanni Vincenzo Antonio Ganganelli Sant'Arcangelo di Romagna, Italy Suppressed the Jesuit Order.
15 February 1775 to 29 August 1799 Pius VI Papa Pius Sextus, Episcopus Romanus Giovanni Angelo Braschi Cesena, Italy Condemned the French Revolution and was expelled from the Papal States by French troops from 1798 until his death.
14 March 1800 to 20 August 1823 Pius VII, O.S.B. Papa Pius Septimus, Episcopus Romanus Barnaba Chiaramonti Cesena, Italy Present at Napoleon's coronation as Emperor of the French. Temporarily expelled from the Papal States by the French between 1809 and 1814.
28 September 1823 to 10 February 1829 Leo XII Papa Leo Duodecimus, Episcopus Romanus Annibale Sermattei della Genga Fabriano, Marche, Italy  
31 March 1829 to 1 December 1830 Pius VIII Papa Pius Octavus, Episcopus Romanus Francesco Saverio Castiglioni Cingoli, Marche, Italy  
2 February 1831 to 1 June 1846 Gregory XVI, O.S.B. Cam. Papa Gregorius Sextus Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari Belluno, Veneto, Italy The last non-bishop to be elected
16 June 1846 to 7 February 1878 Pius IX, O.P.
Blessed Pius IX
Papa Pius Nonus, Episcopus Romanus Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti Senigallia, Marche, Italy Opened First Vatican Council; lost the Papal States to Italy. Longest serving pope in history (see note on St. Peter.)
20 February 1878 to 20 July 1903 Leo XIII Papa Leo Tertius Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Gioacchino Vincenzo Raffaele Luigi Pecci Carpineto Romano, Latium, Italy Laid down the seeds of Catholic Social Teaching through his encyclical, Rerum Novarum (On Capital and Labor) and supported Christian Democracy as against communism; he is the third-longest reigning pope after Pius IX (reigned for 31 years) and John Paul II (reigned for 26 years)
4 August 1903 to 20 August 1914 Pius X
Saint Pius X
Papa Pius Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto Riese, Treviso, Veneto, Italy Encouraged and expanded reception of Holy Communion. Most recent pope to be canonized.
3 September 1914 to 22 January 1922 Benedict XV Papa Benedictus Quintus Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Giacomo Della Chiesa Genoa, Italy Credited for intervening for peace during World War I. He is remembered by Pope Benedict XVI as "prophet of peace."
6 February 1922 to 10 February 1939 Pius XI Papa Pius Undecimus, Episcopus Romanus Achille Ambrogio Damiano Ratti Desio, Milan, Italy Signed the Lateran Treaty with Italy, establishing the Vatican City as a sovereign state.
2 March 1939 to 9 October 1958 Pius XII
Venerable Pius XII
Papa Pius Duodecimus, Episcopus Romanus Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli Rome, Italy Invoked papal infallibility in encyclical Munificentissimus Deus.
28 October 1958 to 3 June 1963 John XXIII
Blessed John XXIII
Papa Ioannes Vicesimus Tertius, Episcopus Romanus Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli Sotto il Monte, Bergamo, Italy Opened Second Vatican Council; sometimes called "Good Pope John"
21 June 1963 to 6 August 1978 Paul VI
Servant of God Paul VI
Papa Paulus Sextus, Episcopus Romanus Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini Concesio, Brescia, Italy The last pope to be crowned with the Papal Tiara. Concluded Second Vatican Council.
26 August 1978 to 28 September 1978 John Paul I
Servant of God John Paul I
Papa Ioannes Paulus Primus, Episcopus Romanus Albino Luciani Forno di Canale (now Canale d'Agordo), Veneto, Italy First Pope to use 'the First' in regnal name. First pope with two names, for his two immediate predecessors.
16 October 1978 to 2 April 2005 John Paul II
Servant of God
Papa Ioannes Paulus Secundus, Episcopus Romanus Karol Józef Wojtyła Wadowice, Poland First Polish pope and first non-Italian pope in 455 years. Canonized more saints than all predecessors. Longest serving Pope since Pius IX (1846-1878) and 2nd longest serving Pope to date (see note on St. Peter. ) Played sizable role in ending communism in Eastern Europe. He is fondly remembered as "Pope of the Youth" and as "the Pilgrim Pope" for his extensive official travel.

Began AD 2005

Pontificate Common English Name Regnal Name Personal Name Place of Birth Notes
19 April 2005 to present Benedict XVI Papa Benedictus Sextus Decimus, Episcopus Romanus Joseph Alois Ratzinger Marktl am Inn, Bavaria, Germany First German pope since Pope Adrian VI in 1523. (Although Adrian VI spoke German and was born in the Holy Roman Empire, it is in what is now Dutch territory; the previous German pope before him was Stephen IX.) Oldest to become pope since Clement XII in 1730. First modern Pope from a predominantly non-Catholic country.


His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI was elected in a papal conclave on April 19, 2005 and formally inaugurated during the papal inauguration mass on April 24, 2005.
Enlarge
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI was elected in a papal conclave on April 19, 2005 and formally inaugurated during the papal inauguration mass on April 24, 2005.

Notes on numbering of popes

A number of anomalies in the list given above need further explanation:

  • Felix II (356-357), Boniface VII (974, 984-985), John XVI (997-998), Benedict X (1058-1059) and Alexander V (1409-1410) are not listed because they are considered antipopes.
  • The numbering of popes named Felix has been amended to omit antipope Felix II. However, most lists still call the last two Felixes Felix III and Felix IV. Additionally, there was an antipope Felix V.
  • There has never been a pope John XX as a result of confusion of the numbering system in the 11th century.
  • Pope-elect Stephen, who died before being consecrated, is not on the Vatican's official list of popes since 1961, but appears on lists dating from before 1960. The numbering of following popes called Stephen are nowadays given as Pope Stephen II to Pope Stephen IX, rather than Stephen III to Stephen X.
  • When Simon de Brion became pope in 1281, he chose to be called Martin. At that time, Marinus I and Marinus II were mistakenly considered to be Martin II and Martin III respectively, and so, erroneously, Simon de Brion became Pope Martin IV.
  • In legend, an English woman reigned as Pope Joan following the death of Leo IV, from 855 to 858. However, this is impossible: Leo IV was immediately succeeded by Benedict III and was challenged by an antipope during that time.
  • Pope Donus II, said to have reigned about 974, never existed. The belief resulted from the confusion of the title dominus (lord) with a proper name.
  • The status of Antipope John XXIII was uncertain for hundreds of years, and was finally settled in 1958 when the man known as Good Pope John announced his own name as John XXIII. Baldassare Cossa, who was Antipope John XXIII, served as a Cardinal of the reunited church before his death in 1419 and his remains are found in the Battistero di San Giovanni (Florence).

See also

References

  • John N.D. Kelly, The Oxford Dictionary of Popes, Oxford University Press, 1986.
  • AA.VV., Enciclopedia dei Papi, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia italiana, 2000.
  • Pontificia Amministrazione della Patriarcale Basilica di San Paolo, I Papi. Venti secoli di storia, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2002.

External links