Grace Thompson
The Pope, meaning Father or Papa in Latin, is the title given to the head of the Catholic Church. The number of popes, according to the Annuario Pontificio (Pontifical Yearbook), is 267. However, some sources quote a number of 268, including Pope Stephen II, who died before his episcopal consecration. The Catholic Encyclopedia, published in 1911 by the Robert Appleton Company, provides a chronological list of popes, starting with St. Peter (32-67) and ending with Pope John Paul II. The list includes notable popes such as St. Gregory VII, Innocent II, and Boniface IX, who were opposed by antipopes during their reigns. The most recent pope, elected in 2025, is Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the first from the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of popes | 267 or 268 |
| Title | Summus Pontifex, Pontifex Maximus, Servus servorum Dei |
| First historian to number the popes | Hermannus Contractus |
| Last pope number by Hermannus Contractus | Leo IX as number 154 |
| Current pope | Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost |
| First pope from the United States | Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost |
| Date of election of current pope | 8 May 2025 |
| Age of current pope | 69 |
| First pope | St. Peter (32-67) |
| Second pope | St. Linus (67-76) |
| Third pope | St. Anacletus (Cletus) (76-88) |
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Pope number discrepancies
The number of popes that have existed is a topic that has seen some variation in response. The Annuario Pontificio (Pontifical Yearbook) lists 267 popes, under the heading 'I Sommi Pontefici Romani' (The Supreme Pontiffs of Rome). However, some sources quote a number of 268, including Pope-elect Stephen (also referred to as Stephen II), who died before his consecration. This variation in numbering is due to the fact that only 265 or 266 men have occupied the chair of Saint Peter, as Benedict IX held office on three separate occasions in the mid-11th century.
The numbering of popes has not always been consistent, and several changes have been made to the list over time. For example, Christopher was considered a legitimate pope for a long time but was later removed due to the manner in which he obtained the papacy. Pope-elect Stephen was also originally listed as a pope until the 1961 edition, when his name was removed. Additionally, the decisions of the Council of Pisa in 1409 were reversed in 1963, which led to a reinterpretation of the Western Schism and affected the classification of certain rival claimants as antipopes.
The term "pope" has been used officially by the head of the Catholic Church since the time of Pope Siricius. The title is derived from the Latin word "papa," meaning "father." The Catholic pope also uses other titles by tradition, including Summus Pontifex, Pontifex Maximus, and Servus Servorum Dei. Each title has been added by unique historical events and is subject to modification.
The Vatican's count of popes is 267, including Pope Leo XIV. This list of popes can be found in the Catholic Encyclopedia, which provides a chronological list of popes, excluding antipopes. The list begins with St. Peter (32-67) and continues through to more recent popes, such as Pope Pius XII (1939-1958) and Pope John Paul II (1978-2005).
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Antipopes
An antipope is a person who claims to be Bishop of Rome and leader of the Roman Catholic Church in opposition to the officially elected pope. Antipopes have arisen throughout the history of the Church, with at least 37 acknowledged antipopes between 217 and 1439. The concept of the antipope persists in the modern day, with most current claimants adhering to the Sedevacantist movement, a group of traditionalist Catholics who reject the decisions of the 1962-1965 Second Vatican Council as heretical and consider all subsequent popes illegitimate. However, due to their small followings and lack of influence, the term "antipope" is rarely used to refer to modern claimants.
The elections of several antipopes are obscured by incomplete or biased records, making it difficult to establish a definitive list. For example, Pope Leo VIII and Pope Benedict V were both elected by different factions, and it was unclear which should be considered the true pope. Similarly, the Annuario Pontificio lists Sylvester III as a pope, but without expressing a judgement on his legitimacy, as the historical criteria, theology, and canon law of the time are difficult to harmonise.
In the modern era, several individuals have claimed the title of pope and can be considered antipopes. Alejandro Greico ("Alexander IX") was elected as the third pontiff of the Argentinian independent Catholic church in 2008, although the real-world existence of this church has never been definitively confirmed. In 2023, Filipino independent Catholic bishop Rogelio del Rosario Martinez ("Michael II") was elected pope by a small conclave in Vienna, Austria.
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Pope tenure durations
The length of a pope's tenure varies, with some popes serving for decades, while others hold the position for a few days or years. Here is an overview of pope tenure durations:
Short-Term Pope Tenures
Some popes have had notably short tenures, including:
- St. Pius V, who served from 1566 to 1572, for a total of 6 years and 115 days.
- Stephen II, who is sometimes included in the count of popes, died in 752 AD, just four days after his election and before his episcopal consecration.
Long-Term Pope Tenures
On the other hand, several popes have had lengthy tenures:
- Pius IX served the longest at 31 years and 236 days, from 1846 until his death in 1878.
- Leo XIII had a substantial tenure of 25 years and 150 days, from 1878 to 1903.
- St. Pius X, who served for 11 years and 16 days from 1903 to 1914.
Historical Variability
The length of a pope's tenure has varied throughout history, influenced by various factors such as health, historical events, and political circumstances. For example, Pope-elect Stephen served a brief tenure, while Pope Benedict IX held the office thrice during the mid-11th century, contributing to the variability in the total number of popes throughout history.
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Pope titles
The pope, or "papa", is the head of the Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome. The title "pope" is not one of the pope's official titles, despite being the most famous and commonly used title. The pope has eight official titles, according to the Vatican's website, which are:
- Bishop of Rome
- Vicar of Jesus Christ
- Vicar of Christ
- Vicar of Peter
- Successor of the Prince of the Apostles
- Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church
- Primate of Italy
- Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province
- Sovereign of the State of Vatican City
- Servant of the Servants of God
The title "pope" or "papa" is derived from the Latin "papa", which in turn comes from the Greek "pappas", meaning "father". The title "pope" has been used since the 9th century, although there is some debate about who was the first Bishop of Rome to use the title. The oldest titles used are "pope" and "pontiff", which date back to the middle of the 3rd century. The other titles appear from the 5th century onwards and develop throughout the Middle Ages.
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Pope elections
The process of electing a new Pope has been refined over the centuries, with the current procedure being established in 1621 by Pope Gregory XV. When a Pope dies or resigns, the College of Cardinals, comprised of bishops and Vatican officials from across the globe, assumes responsibility for governing the Catholic Church.
The cardinals gather at the Vatican for a series of meetings called general congregations, where they discuss the challenges and needs of the Church. They also prepare for the papal election, known as a conclave. During the conclave, the cardinals assemble in Saint Peter's Basilica to celebrate Mass before proceeding to the Sistine Chapel. An oath is administered to prevent cardinals from casting "courtesy votes", encouraging them to focus on the serious business of electing a new pope.
The election process involves several rounds of balloting until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority vote, which has been the requirement since the Third Council of the Lateran in 1179. Once a cardinal receives the necessary two-thirds vote, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks if they accept the election. If they accept, they choose a papal name, don the papal vestments, and appear on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. The senior cardinal deacon announces "Habemus Papam" ("We have a pope"), and the new pope imparts their blessing upon the city of Rome and the world.
The location of conclaves has been fixed in Rome since the end of the Western Schism in 1417, except for a brief period between 1799 and 1800 when French troops forced the election to be held in Venice. The use of black and white smoke to signal the election results has been augmented with chemicals since 1963, with the successful election now announced by the ringing of the bells of Saint Peter's Basilica upon the appearance of white smoke.
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Frequently asked questions
There have been 267 popes, according to the Annuario Pontificio (Pontifical Yearbook). However, some sources quote a number of 268, with the inclusion of Pope-elect Stephen II, who died before his episcopal consecration.
St. Peter (32-67) is considered the first pope.
Pope Benedict XVI was the pope preceding Pope Francis.
Hermannus Contractus may have been the first historian to number the popes continuously. His list ends in 1049 with Leo IX as number 154.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost became the first American pope on May 8, 2025.
