The Nest: May 2025

With the recent death of Pope Francis, I have been suddenly pulled to a fascination with the Papal history. It's strange actually I was watching the documentary Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History just the day before Pope Francis died. I saw this as the closure to my religious biblical phase of the past couple as Easter came to a close. It's also very strange that Pope Francis died the day after Easter. He was in poor health for the last couple years, however still made a public appearance on Easter Sunday. He died on April 21st at the age of 88 years and served as the Bishop of Rome for 12 years. I liked him dearly because he was the first South American pope, from Argentina, a progressive minded leader, but also a sincere humanitarian.

His ascension to the papacy was almost unprecedented in 2013, when his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI resigned from the seat due to declining health. He became the first pope to renunciate in nearly 600 years since Pope Gregory did in 1415 (due to the Western Schism). Following his resignation Pope Francis was chosen by the Papal Conclave. I remember hearing of the news while I was doing courier work, and was genuinely surprised and happy that the first Latin American pope was selected. His ideology was one of leftist politics, against capitalism, in support of the lower classes, and also social causes such as more rights for immigrants and homosexuals. His progressive agenda was a sharp contrast to the ultra-conservative policies of Pope Benedict.

So now we're currently in an interim period without a pope. The funeral of the Francis just occurred this weekend, and will then be followed by nine days of mourning before the Papal Conclave begins. I honestly have no idea what to expect, but will try to highlight some potential candidates from research. However what I really want to do here is establish a brief historical timeline of the papacy. I know of the most famous popes beginning with Saint Peter, Pope Gregory, Pope Urban, Pope Julius, Pope Alexander VI, Pope Pius, and Pope John Paul II. I remember Pope John Paul II was very popular during my childhood years, and especially admired by my grandma. I'm not quire sure Benedict or Francis reached the popularity of Pope John Paul II, but he also was pope for 26 years.

I find the pompous of the Catholic Church and Vatican City to be so rich with history. I love the lavish ceremonies, the architecture, the intricate robes and wardrobe, the relics, the service, the music, the liturgy, the preaching, the artistic paintings, and just the tradition of it all. It is the most popular and oldest religions in the world (next to the Jewish faith). I feel the Catholic Church, Vatican City, and the office of the papacy is truly regarded as our greatest beacon of light. To see so many world leaders and followers come together for Francis' funeral is truly sensation. And I believe the pope has played a crucial role in world history since the church was founded. Which is why I'd like to follow the succession of the last 2000 years of the papacy, the rock of the Catholic Church. Some of this will overlap with my 6-part study on Christian history that I wrote in 2012 (see History of Christianity) however this will put more of a focus on the leaders of the papacy.

The Church that Peter Built

Following the death of Jesus Christ, his apostles began their own ministry by spreading his word. This included Peter, James, John, Paul the Apostle, and various others that devoutly followed his teachings. Their travels and letters throughout Europe and Asia served as the early development of the Christian Church. This period (captured in the New Testament: Acts of the Apostles) is believed to have lasted from 30-64 AD, by which all were eventually executed by the Roman Empire as martyrs. Although the office of the pope was not officially established for many years later, Peter is regarded as the Prince of the Apostles and for this reason he is recognized as the first pope

The Primacy of Peter pertains to his leadership over the other apostles in this defining development of the Christian Faith. He was considered the most devoted of Jesus Christ's followers and their most influential leader. He was also considered a unifier of the branching interpretations, and likely helped organize the foundational framework of the Catholic Church. For this reason he is granted the title of preeminence, with authority delegated from Jesus to rule over the entire church. According to Catholic tradition he received the keys of the Kingdom of heaven, which served as a metaphor for establishing the office of papal authority.

Early Church Fathers

During these early years of development for the Catholic Church, much of the theology was still being organized. The teachings of Jesus Christ were incorporated into doctrine by his apostles and devout followers. These influential theologians, known as the Church Fathers, helped organize the doctrine of the church, in various writings. Some of these writings are considered Sacred Tradition such as the Ante-Nicene-Fathers, the Nicene Fathers, and the Post Nicene Fathers. The generation of leaders after the age of the apostles are referred to as the Apostolic Fathers. Pope Clement I (88 to 97 AD) is considered the first of these men, who was personally ordained by Saint Peter during his lifetime.

Pope Clement was one of the early significant leaders of the Catholic Church helping bring unity to Christian schisms amongst the Corinthians. He wrote one of the first Epistles as a church father, letters of the apostles that are part of the New Testament biblical canon. Other prominent Apostolic Fathers during this time included Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp of Smyrna, Papias of Heirapolis, and Quadratus of Athens. The men were merely considered bishops however and not granted the title of pope as was Clement. During this time also known as the Patristic Era, the church began to establish itself as the state church of the Roman Empire.

The Church of Rome

It was under the reign of Constantine the Great from 306-337 AD that the Catholic Church became centralized in Rome. The First Council of Nicaea occurred during this period in 325 AD, and served as the first official council of the Catholic Church. It was attended by nearly 200 bishops from Europe and Asia to deliberate over various theologian concepts. Many key concepts of the practice were agreed upon during this assembly such as the divine nature of Jesus and his relationship to God, the observance of Easter, as well as the establishment of the Nicene Creed and canon law. However it's interesting to note that the pope of the time, Saint Sylvester, did not attend the council due to old age.

In 330 the capital of the Roman Empire transferred to the city of Constantinople where the seat of the Catholic Church became further administered. It is believed that Constantine the Great sought to hand over total authority to the Pope, however this never occurred. Constantine did however completely change the influence of the catholic church thru law and many great constructions of basilicas. In 401 Pope Leo became the first pope to be labeled as "Great" for his theological contributions to the church (also regarded as a Doctor of the Church). This included strong beliefs that the divine nature of Jesus Christ was human and god. Perhaps his greatest state contribution came in persuading Atilla the Hun to not invade Italy.

Medieval Papacy

During the decline of the Roman Empire the papacy came under the influence of the Germanic Ostrogothic Kingdom from 493 to 537 AD. During this time a first major schism began to occur where two popes were chosen in 498. Furthermore hints of corruption and simony began to infiltrate the papal institution. Theodoric the Great did not interfere in papal matters, however when Justinian reconquered Rome, he became the first Roman Emperor to appoint a pope in 537 AD. From this point on the papacy came under the influence of the Byzantine Empire for two centuries, in which many of their leaders were chosen by the emperor.

Pope Martin I "The Confessor" (649-655), became the first pope to question the influence of Byzantine authority into church affairs. During this time Rome became a melting pot of Western and Eastern Christian traditions. Pope Gregory I the Great (590-604) played a pivotal role in establishing papal authority thru new administration and weeding out the corruption and influence of the monarchy. He made great contributions to the church in theological writings and helped establish a new calendar and forms of liturgy now known as the Gregorian Calendar and the Gregorian Chants. He also sent missionaries to England to convert the pagans of the north.

In 756 Pope Stephen II established the Papal States in Italy as it's own sovereign territory free from government control. However they still needed military support, which came from the Frankish Kingdom under King Pepin III. Rome became the new center of these Papal States for the next 1100 years, finally with it's own administration. In 800 AD, Charlemagne further supported the papal states, with the request from Pope Leo III who crowned him as first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Thus while the papacy had it's governing freedom it still had to swear allegiance to the Holy Roman Empire for financial and military support. From 904 to 1048 an age of corruption undertook the papacy ruled by aristocratic Roman nobles, a family known as the Theophyclati.

The Great Schism and the Crusades

In 1076 a conflict arose between the Church and the Holy Roman Empire, known as the Investiture Controversary, regarding who had the authority to appoint bishops. The controversary began with Pope Gregory VII and went on for nearly 50 years. One of the most notable events of the controversary was when Emperor Henry IV made a walk of atonement to submit to Pope Gregory VII, known as the Road to Canossa. The dispute was finally resolved in 1122 where Pope Callixtus II and Emperor Henry V came to a compromise. In The Concordat of Worms the authority to appoint bishops remained with the church, however they were mandated to sweat allegiance to the crown.

In 1054 after many years of theological disputes, the eastern church of the Byzantine Empire broke away from the western church of the Holy Roman Empire in what is known as the Great East-West Schism. The schism became official when Patriarch Michael Cerularius of Constantinople ordered the immediate closure of all Roman churches in the East. Pope Leo IX responded by excommunicating Cerularius and all those who did not accept the pope as the supreme religious authority. This marked the independence of the Eastern Orthodox Church, no longer swearing fealty to the pope of the Catholic Church. Several differences of Roman Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church are the recognition of the Holy Spirit as an embodiment of God and not Jesus; the importance of Mary, also Eastern Orthodox clergy are allowed to marry. Despite the break-up both factions of the Christian church remained peaceful and diplomatic for the most part.

The dispute was however incorporated into the Holy Crusades from 1095-1291. Initiated by Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont, he called the Catholic faith to arms, to reclaim the holy land of Jerusalem under the occupancy of the Seljuk Turks. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the city of Jerusalem was conquered by the Rashidun Caliphate in 638 AD and remained in Muslim control for 450 years until the first crusade. This was also an intent to reunite the Roman Church with Eastern Orthodox against the growing presence of Muslims in Turkey. Despite their victory in Jerusalem at the First Crusade, the dispute with the Muslims carried on for many more years. The tension between the Western church and the eastern church also reached a boiling point at the Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople.

In 1257 AD due to political instability in Rome, the Pope moved his office away from Rome and into various other parts of Italy. This period known as the age of wandering popes lasted for nearly 100 years, where the papacy sought to stay away from the corrupted aristocrats of Rome. During this time the Papal Conclave tradition began in 1276 by which cardinals gathered to elect the next pope. A string of seven French popes then came to power from 1309-1377 known as the Avignon Papacy, under the heavy influence of the French King. This eventually lead to a Western Schism in 1378 where the French Monarchy sought to establish the papacy in France rather then Rome. Pope Gregory XI however refused to stay in Avignon and returned the papal office to Rome. The dispute lasted from 1378-1417, in which three popes reigned at a time; one from Avignon, one from Pisa, and one from Rome. However in 1414 the Council of Constance was arranged to bring an end to the antipopes and reunify the papacy in Rome by which Pope Martin V became the undisputed pope of the Catholic Church.

Renaissance Papacy

During the early 1400s at the onset of the Renaissance the papacy once again became a driving force in domestic and global politics. However it also became influenced by corruption, nepotism, and even simony (the selling of sacramental services, positions, and items). Powerful Italian families such as the Medici, the Borgias, and the fella Rovere were able to secure control of the papacy thru financial and political influence. Also during this time some of the popes had mistresses and even children, such as Pope Alexander VI (1492-1503) one of the most controversial popes in history. Aside from his many mistresses, nepotism, and corruption he famously executed his greatest critic Savonarola. His corruption of power is often credited as the driving force of the Protestant Reformation that occurred in the years to come.

One of the next most famous popes during the Renaissance was Pope Julius II from 1503-1513. He was regarded as the Warrior Pope for his use of a papal military to increase the territory of the papal states during the Italian Wars. He oversaw the establishment of Catholicism in the New World of Latin America. He is also most famous for established the Swiss Guard, the Vatican Museums, the construction of Saint Peter's Basilica, as well as the commission of Michaelangelo's famous paintings in the Sistine Chapel. Aside from these great contributions however he also partook in corruption by allowing indulgences (a way to buy forgiveness of sins) which were used for some of his more ambitious projects.

Pope Leo X was another example of a corrupt Renaissance pope put in power by the Medici family from 1513 to 1521. He also pushed heavily for indulgences to fund the various papal wars and construction projects. Leo famously excommunicated Martin Luther in 1520 with a papal bull. During the War of the League of Cognac (1526-1530) between France and the Holy Roman Empire, the city of Rome was sacked by mutinous soldiers in 1527 seeking pillage and plunder. Pope Clement VII was forced to go into hiding in the Castel Sant Angelo while the Swiss Guard was obliterated. Although order was eventually re-stablished this marked a sudden power shift, by which the papacy lost much of it's authority to the Holy Roman Empire. The Catholic Church further lost influence when England broke away in 1534 which led to a series of Protestant Wars of Religion.

The Catholic Reformation

As a response to the growing Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Church organized the Council of Trent from 1545 to 1563 led by Pope Paul III. The Council worked to counter the Protestant Reformation and restructure the Catholic Church. The major goal was to weed out the corruption that had taken hold during the Renaissance. It also sought to strengthen their doctrines, leadership, education, and overall internal structure. Jesuits became established as the new religious order to travel and reeducate the world on Catholic principles. Pope Sixtus V (1585-1590) also played a major role in the Catholic Reformation by rooting out the corruption, reforming the church administration, as well as renovating the city of Rome.

The renovation and reformation resumed during the 1600s in what is known as the Baroque Papacy. This included great works of construction and art as a means to glorify the city of Rome as well as the papacy as the central authority of the church. Despite all these great constructions projects, Rome still lost significant pull throughout Europe, due to various religious wars such as the Thirty Years War (1618-1648). During this time new off-shoots of the Catholic religion were recognized such as Calvinism and Lutheranism. By the end of the 1600s the papacy was no longer a driving force in political affairs and was forced to take a spectator role. France and England emerged as the new key players in Europe, free from papal influence.

The influence of the papacy was further challenged throughout the 1700s due to the rise of the Enlightenment. New scientific and philosophical breakthroughs began to question the pope's divine power, and even the existence of a god. This was most notably the case during the French Revolution, where Pope Pius VI was imprisoned by French troops for condemning the Revolution and it's radical ideals. During the early 1800s the Papal States came under French control for some time by which Pope Pius VII handed the crown to Napoleon as Emperor of France. The papal states were later restored their independent power in 1814 at the Congress of Vienna.

The End of the Papal States

From 1846 to 1878 Pope Pius IX served the longest reign ever as pope for 32 years. He oversaw a period of political instability throughout the European Revolutions of 1848 which forced him to flee Rome during the brief Roman Republic in 1849. He then ushered in a new agenda of strict conservatism against progressive ideals of secularization and separating the church from the state. He also presented new theological dogma pertaining papal infallibility as well as the importance of Mary and her Immaculate Conception (a life free form sin). However he also resisted the national social movement of Risorgimento, also known as the Unification of Italy, that began in 1861. The intent of the movement was to unite the various states and kingdoms throughout Italy into one Kingdom.

In 1870 this national movement achieved it's goal by capturing Rome from the Papal States, then bringing an official end to the Papal States. Rome thus became the new capital of the unified Italian Kingdom taking away the pope's political power over the city. However Pope Pius IX was defiant and did not recognize this claim, yet chose to remain in Rome as a Prisoner of the Vatican. The next few popes to follow also remained in this situation, refusing to accept the newly established Italian state as their political authority. Pope Leo XIII oversaw the third longest reign as pope for 25 years and pushed for further theological concepts of the rosary, the scapular, and the importance of Mother Mary.

Second Vatican Council

In 1929 Pope Pius XI was able to achieve a diplomatic solution regarding their political status in Rome with Italian prime minister Benito Mussolini. The Lateran Treaty established the Vatican City as the new sovereign territory of the papacy, free from Italian administration. This was fittingly located amidst all the great Catholic sites such as St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. During this key turning point of independence the Papacy still found itself burdened with the growing influence of Facsist dictators Mussolini and Hitler. Both Pope Pius XI and Pius XII spoke out against the injustice committed during WWII especially the Holocaust.

From 1962 to 1965 Pope John XXIII called upon major reform in the Catholic Church as an effort to modernize their practice. This brought forth significant reform in the liturgy, moving away from the strict Latin language to the local language. It also opened the door for religious freedom and tolerance of other religions (most notably the Eastern Orthodox and Protestant churches). During this period the Catholic Church began to shift itself as more concerned about humanitarian issues (such as peace and poverty) rather that political or state affairs. Pope Paul VI reigned from 1963 to 1978, and was strongly opposed to the Vietnam War, birth control, and oversaw many reforms of Vatican II such as declaring Mary as the Mother of the Church.

In 1978 Pope John Paul II became the first elected non-Italian pope since 1523 and was a strong advocate against Communism. He was an extremely popular pope due to his charity missions as well as his extensive travel, visiting 129 countries throughout his reign (the most traveled pope in history). He was succeeded by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, the first German pope since 1058. With his conservative approach, Pope Benedict returned some of the traditional aspects of the church. He became the first pope to renounce the papacy since 1415, due to aging health issues. He thus received the title of pope emeritus (honorary pope), when Pope Francis was elected in 2013. Pope Francis ushered in an era of progressive agenda, tolerant towards the LGBT community, and also spreading the cardinal conclave beyond Europe and into other regions.

Vatican City

The headquarters of the papacy, the curia, and the Catholic Church are located in a very small district within Rome, Italy known as Vatican City. It is it's own independent sovereign state with it's own government, a monarchy that is governed by the pope. With a 2.2 mile border and a population of 882 it is the smallest country in the world. However it is also the most historic and visited regions in the world. That is because of it's rich collection of architecture, libraries, museums, sculptures, and classical art. I was fortunate to visit this location in 2017 with my brother and was very awe-struck by the scale of classical renaissance art on display.

The impressive St. Peter's Basilica towers over the region, overlooking St. Peter's Square, the Bernini Colonnade (with it's 284 columns), and the Vatican obelisk. Inside St. Peter's Basilica is an impressive dome filled with Renaissance art such as Michelangelo's' Pieta as well as Bernini's Baldachino. Behind the Basilica is a courtyard with administrative pontificate buildings. To the east of the Vatican is the impressive Sistine Chapel, adorned with famous paintings by Michelangelo and Raphael. Nearby is the massive Vatican Museum, one of the largest most visited museums in the world. It houses many artistic treasures such as the statue of Emperor Augustus and many works by Raphael, Caravaggio, and Michelangelo. Next to the museum is the home of the pope, known as the Apostolic Palace (it is the White House of Vatican City).

The region is located on Vatican Hill and once was the location of Roman Emperor Nero's circus. The famous Obelisk was the first major landmark built in 40 AD. Many Christians were persecuted in this region, most notably Saint Peter who was crucified upside down. Rightfully so it became the holy sacred grounds of the Catholics and churches and shrines became erected on the spot. The First St. Peter's Basilica was constructed in 318AD by Constantine the Great built over the tomb of Saint Peter. It was later demolished and replaced by the current basilica in 1505-1626 (a golden renaissance for the Catholic Church). The Sistine Chapel was also completed during the Renaissance, commissioned by Pope Julius II. For most the papal history, this region was a part of greater Rome, ruled by the Papal States. However in 1929, due to the unification of Italy, this new state was formed to give the Catholic Church it's own administrative government. So while the buildings and art are quite ancient, the city itself is still quite young.

Interesting Facts about the Papacy

There have been a total of 266 popes.
The pope is also known as the Bishop of Rome, the Vicar of Christ, the Supreme Pontiff, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, the Patriarch of the West, and the Primate of Italy
The longest reign as pope

Pope Pius IX (1846-1878): 31 years
Pope John Paul II (1978-2005): 26 years
Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903): 25 years
Pope Pius VI (1775-1799): 24 years

The shortest reign as pope

Pope Urban VII (1590): 13 days
Pope Boniface VI (896): 16 days
Pope Celestine IV (1241): 20 days

The youngest pope ever to be elected was Pope Benedict IX (1032) at age 18
The oldest pope to die in office was Pope Leo XIII (1903) at age 93
Most Frequent Papal Names

John (23)
Gregory (16)
Benedict (15)
Clement (14)
Innocent (13)
Leo (13)
Pius (12)
Stephen (9)
Boniface (8)
Urban (8)

There have been approximately 40 antipopes (with false claims to the papacy)
The longest conclave in history lasted nearly 3 years from 1268-1271.
81 popes have been canonized into saints
A newly elected pope receives a golden ring known as the Fisherman's Ring, which must be destroyed upon his death.
The Swiss Guard was established in 1506 as an elite unit of Swiss male citizens between 19 and 30 that protect the pope.
Popes by Nationality:

Italy (216)
France (16)
Germany (6)
Syria (5)
Greece (4)

List of Popes

St. Peter (30-64): Judea, Israel
St. Linus (64-76): Tuscany, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Anacletus (76-88): Athens, Greece
St. Clemente I (88-97): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Evaristus (97-105): Bethlehem, Judea, Israel
St. Alexander (105-115): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Sixtus I (115-125): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Telesphorus (125-136): Terra Nova, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Hyginus (136-140): Athens, Greece
St. Pius I (140-155): Aquileia, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Anciectus (155-166): Emesa, Syria
St. Soter (167-175): Fundi, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Eleutherius (174-189): Nicopolis, Epirus, Greece
St. Victor I (189-198): Libya, Africa
St. Zephyrinus (198-217): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
Natalius (198-199): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy (antipope)
St. Callixtus I (218-222): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Hippolytus (217-235): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy (antipope)
St. Urban I (222-230): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Pontian (230-235): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Anterus (235-236): Petelia, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Fabian (236-250): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Cornelius (251-253): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
Novatian (200-220) Roma, Roman Empire, Italy (antipope)
St. Lucius I (253-254): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Stephen (254-257): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Sixtus II (257-258): Athens, Greece
St. Dionysius (259-268): Terra Nova, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Felix I (269-274): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Eutychian (275-283): Luna, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Caius (283-296): Salona, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Marcellinus (296-304): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Marcellus I (308-309): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Eusebius (309-310): Achaea, Greece
St. Miltiades (311-314): North Africa
St. Sylvester I (314-335): Calabria, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Mark (336-336): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Julius I (337-352): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
Liberius (352-366): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
Felix II (355-365) Roma, Roman Empire, Italy (antipope)
St. Damasus I (366-384): Lusitania, Portugal
Ursinus (366-367): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy (antipope)
St. Siricius (384-399): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Anastasius (399-401): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Innocent I (401-417): Albanum, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Zosimus (417-418): Messurga, Roman Empire, Italy
Eulalius (418-419): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy (antipope)
St. Boniface (418-422): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Celestine I (422-432): Campania, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Sixtus III (432-440): Roma, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Leo I the Great (440-461): Etruria, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Hilarius (461-468): Sardina, Roman Empire, Italy
St. Simplicius (468-483): Tibur, Western Roman Empire, Italy
St. Felix III (483-492): Roma, Western Roman Empire, Italy
St. Gelasius I (492-496): Mons Ferratus, Algeria
Anastasius II (496-498): Roma, Western Roman Empire, Italy
St. Symmachus (498-514): Sardinia, Western Roman Empire, Italy
Laurentius (498-508): Roma, Western Roman Empire, Italy
St. Hormisdas (514-523): Frusino, Western Roman Empire, Italy
St. John I (523-526): Sena Ilulia, Western Roman Empire, Italy
St. Felix IV (526-530): Samnium, Ostrogothic Kingdom, Italy
Boniface II (530-532): Roma, Ostrogothic Kingdom, Italy
Dioscorus (530-530): Alexandria, Egypt (antipope)
John II (533-535): Roma, Ostrogothic Kingdom, Italy
St. Agapetus I (535-536): Roma, Ostrogothic Kingdom, Italy
St. Silverius (536-537): Cicanum, Ostrogothic Kingdom, Italy
Vigilius (537-555): Roma, Ostrogothic Kingdom, Italy
Pelagius I (556-561): Roma, Ostrogothic Kingdom, Italy
John III (561-574): Roma, Ostrogothic Kingdom, Italy
Benedict I (575-579): Roma, Ostrogothic Kingdom, Italy
Pelagius II (579-590): Roma, Ostrogothic Kingdom, Italy
St. Gregory I the Great (590-604): Roma, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
Sabinian (604-606): Blera, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
Boniface III (607): Roma, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
St. Boniface IV (608-615): Marsica, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
St. Adeodatus I (615-618): Roma, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
Boniface V (619-625): Neapolis, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
Honorius I (625-638): Ceperanum, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
Severinus (640): Roma, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
John IV (640-624): Iadera, Eastern Roman Empire, Crotia
Theodore I (642-649): Jerusalem, Eastern Roman Empire, Israel
St. Martin I (649-655): Tuder, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
St. Eugene I (654-657): Roma, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
St. Vitalian (657-672): Signia, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
Adeodatus II (672-676): Roma, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
Donus (676-678): Roma, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
St. Agatho (678-681): Panormus, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
St. Leo II (682-683): Aydonum, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
St. Benedict II (684-685): Roma, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
John V (685-686): Antiochia, Eastern Roman Empire, Syria
Conon (686-687): Thracia, Eastern Roman Empire, Bulgaria
St. Sergius I (687-701): Palermo, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
John VI (701-705): Ephesus, Eastern Roman Empire, Turkey
John VII (705-707): Rossanum, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
Sisinius (708): Rashidun Caliphate, Syria
Constantine (708-715): Umayyad Caliphate, Syria
St. Gregory II (715-731): Roma, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
St. Gregory III (731-741): Umayyad Caliphate, Syria
St. Zachary (741-752): Calabria, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
Stephen II (752): Roma, Eastern Roman Empire Italy - 3 days. Died before taking office
Stephen II (752-757): Roma, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
St. Paul I (757-767): Roma, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
Stephen III (768-772): Syracuse, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
Adrian I (772-795) Roma, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
St. Leo III (795-816): Roma, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
Stephen IV (816-817): Rome, Papal States, Italy
St. Paschal I (817-824): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Eugene II (824-827): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Valentine (827): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Gregory IV (827-844): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Sergius II (844-847): Rome, Papal States, Italy
St. Leo IV (847-855): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Benedict III (855-858): Rome, Papal States, Italy
St. Nicholas I the Great (858-867): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Adrian II (867-872): Rome, Papal States, Italy
John VIII (872-882): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Marinus I (882-884): Gallese, Papal States, Italy
St. Adrian III (884-885): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Stephen V (885-891): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Formosus (891-896): Ostia, Papal States, Italy
Boniface VI (896): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Stephen VI (896-897): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Romanus (897): Gallese, Papal States, Italy
Theodore II (897): Rome, Papal States, Italy
John IX (898-900): Tivoli, Papal States, Italy
Benedict IV (900-903): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Leo V (903): Ardea, Papal States, Italy
Christopher (903-904): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Sergius III (904-911): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Anastasius III (911-913): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Lando (913-914): Sabina, Papal States, Italy
John X (914-928): Tossignano, Papal States, Italy
Leo VI (928): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Stephen VII (929-931): Rome, Papal States, Italy
John XI (931-935): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Leo VII (936-939): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Stephen VIII (939-942): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Marinus II (942-946): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Agapetus II (946-955): Rome, Papal States, Italy
John XII (955-963): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Leo VIII (963-964): Rome, Papal States, Italy (antipope)
John XII (964): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Benedict V (964): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Leo VIII (964-965): Rome, Papal States, Italy
John XIII (965-972): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Benedict VI (973-974): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Boniface VII (974): Rome, Papal States, Italy (antipope)
Benedict VII (974-983): Rome, Papal States, Italy
John XIV (983-984): Pavia, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Boniface VII (984-985): Rome, Papal States, Italy (antipope)
John XV (985-996): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Gregory V (996-999): Stainach, Holy Roman Empire, Germany
John XVI (997-998): Rossanum, Eastern Roman Empire, Italy
Sylvester II (999-1003): Belliac, France
John XVII (1003): Rome, Papal States, Italy
John XVIII (1003-1009): Rapagnano, Papal States, Italy
Sergius IV (1009-1012): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Benedict VIII (1012-1024): Rome, Papal States, Italy
John XIX (1024-1032): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Benedict IX (1032-1044): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Sylvester III (1045): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Benedict IX (1045): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Gregory VI (1045-1046): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Clement II (1046-1047): Hornburg, Holy Roman Empire, Germany
Benedict IX (1047-1048): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Damasus II (1048): Bavaria, Holy Roman Empire, Germany
St. Leo IX (1049-1054): Eguisheim, Holy Roman Empire, France
Victor II (1055-1057): Swabia, Holy Roman Empire, Germany
Stephen IX (1057-1058): Lorraine, Holy Roman Empire, France
Benedict X (1058-1059): Rome, Papal States, Italy (antipope)
Nicholas II (1058-1061): Chateau de Chevron, Holy Roman Empire, France
Honorius II (1061-1072): Verona, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Alexander II (1061-1073): Baggio, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
St. Gregory VII (1073-1085): Sovana, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Clement III (1080-1100): Ravenna, Holy Roman Empire, Italy (antipope)
Victor III (1086-1087): Duchy of Benevento, Italy
Urban II (1088-1099): Chatillon sur-Marne, France
Paschal II (1099-1118): Bleda, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Theodoric (1100-1101): Rome, Papal States, Italy (antipope)
Adalbert (1101-1102): Rome, Papal States, Italy (antipope)
Sylvester IV (1105-1111): Rome, Papal States, Italy (antipope)
Gelasius II (1118-1119): Duchy of Gaeta, Italy
Gregory VIII (1118-1121): Limousin, France (antipope)
Callixtus II (1119-1124): Quingey, Holy Roman Empire, France
Honorius II (1124-1130): Flagnano, Papal States, Italy
Innocent II (1130-1143): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Anacletus II (1130-1138): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Victor IV (1138): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Celestine II (1143-1144): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Lucius II (1144-1145): Bologna, Papal States, Italy
Eugene III (1145-1153): Pisa, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Anastasius IV (1153 - 1154): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Adrian IV (1154 - 1159): Langley Abbot's, Kingdom of England
Alexander III (1159 - 1181): Siena, Italy
Lucius III (1181 - 1185): Lucca, Italy
Urban III (1185 - 1187): Milan, Italy
Gregory VIII (1187): Benevento, Papal States, Italy
Clement III (1187 - 1191): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Celestine III (1191-1198): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Innocent III (1198 - 1216): Gavignano, Papal States, Italy
Honorius III (1216 - 1227): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Gregory IX (1227- 1241): Anagni, Papal States, Italy
Celestine IV (1241): Milan, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Innocent IV (1243-1254): Genoa, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Alexander IV (1254 -1261): Jenne, Papal States, Italy
Urban IV (1261-1264): Troyes, France
Clement IV (1265-1268): Saint-Gilles, France
Interregnum (3 year period due to deadlock in conclave vote)
Gregory X (1271-1276): Piacenza, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Innocent V (1276): Tarnentaise, France
Adrian V (1276): Genoa, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
John XXI (1276-1277): Lisbon, Portugal
Nicholas III (1277-1280): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Martin IV (1281-1285): Brie-Comte-Robert, France
Honorius IV (1285-1287): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Nicholas IV (1288-1292): Ascoli Piceno, Papal States, Italy
St. Celestine V (1294): Isernia, Italy
Boniface VIII (1294-1303): Anagni, Papal States, Italy
Bl. Benedict XI (1303-1304): Treviso, Papal States, Italy
Clement V (1305-1314): Villandraut, France
John XXII (1316-1334): Cahors, France
Benedict XII (1334-1342): Saverdun, France
Clement VI (1342-1352): Maumont, France
Innocent VI (1352-1362): Beyssac, France
Bl. Urban V (1362-1370): Grisac, France
Gregory XI (1370-1378): Maumont, France
Urban VI (1378-1389): Naples, Italy
Boniface IX (1389-1404): Naples, Italy
Innocent VII (1404-1406): Sulmona, Italy
Gregory XII (1406-1415): Venice, Italy
Martin V (1417-1431): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Eugene IV (1431-1447): Venice, Itay
Nicholas V (1447-1455): Sarzana, Italy
Callixtus III (1455-1458): Játiva, Spain
Pius II (1458-1464): Corsignano, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Paul II (1464-1471): Venice, Italy
Sixtus IV (1471-1484): Celle Ligure, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Innocent VIII (1484-1492): Genoa, Italy
Alexander VI (1492-1503): Játiva, Spain
Pius III (1503): Siena, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Julius II (1503-1513): Albisola, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Leo X (1513-1521): Florence, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Adrian VI (1522-1523): Utrecht, Netherlands
Clement VII (1523-1534): Florence, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Paul III (1534-1549): Canino, Papal States, Italy
Julius III (1550-1555): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Marcellus II (1555): Montefano, Papal States, Italy
Paul IV (1555-1559): Naples, Italy
Pius IV (1559-1565): Milan, Italy
St. Pius V (1566-1572): Bosco Marengo, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Gregory XIII (1572-1585): Bologna, Italy
Sixtus V (1585-1590): Grottammare, Papal States, Italy
Urban VII (1590): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Gregory XIV (1590-1591): Cremona, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Innocent IX (1591): Bologna, Italy
Clement VIII (1592-1605): Fano, Papal States, Italy
Leo XI (1605): Florence, Holy Roman Empire, Italy
Paul V (1605-1621): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Gregory XV (1621-1623): Bologna, Italy
Urban VIII (1623-1644): Florence, Italy
Innocent X (1644-1655): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Alexander VII (1655-1667): Siena, Italy
Clement IX (1667-1669): Pistoia, Italy
Clement X (1670-1676): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Bl. Innocent XI (1676-1689) : Como, Italy
Alexander VIII (1689-1691) : Venice, Italy
Innocent XII (1691-1700) : Spinazzola, Italy
Clement XI (1700-1721) : Urbino, Italy
Innocent XIII (1721-1724): Rome, Papal States, Italy
Benedict XIII (1724-1730): Gravina in Puglia, Italy
Clement XII (1730-1740): Florence, Italy
Benedict XIV (1740-1758): Bologna, Italy
Clement XIII (1758-1769): Venice, Italy
Clement XIV (1769-1774) : Sant'Arcangelo di Romagna, Italy
Pius VI (1775-1799): Cesena, Italy
Pius VII (1800-1823): Cesena, Italy
Leo XII (1823-1829): Genga, Italy
Pius VIII (1829-1830): Cingoli, Italy
Gregory XVI (1831-1846): Belluno, Italy
Bl. Pius IX (1846-1878) Senigallia, Italy
Leo XIII (1878-1903): Carpineto Romano, Italy
St. Pius X (1903-1914): Riese Pio X, Italy
Benedict XV (1914-1922): Genoa, Italy
Pius XI (1922-1939): Desio, Italy
Pius XII (1939-1958): Rome, Italy
St. John XXIII (1958-1963): Sotto il Monte, Italy
St. Paul VI (1963-1978): Concesio, Italy
St. John Paul I (1978): Canale d'Agordo, Italy
St. John Paul II (1978-2005): Wadowice, Poland
Benedict XVI (2005-2013): Marktl am Inn, Germany
Francis (2013-Present): Buenos Aires, Argentina

Friday, May 2, 2025

Religious Study: History of the Papacy