List of All Popes: Complete Guide from St. Peter to Pope Leo XIV
From the fisherman apostle in Rome to the Bishop of Rome today, the Catholic Church has recognized 267 legitimate successors of St. Peter. This guide explains the papacy, walks through 2,000 years of history, and provides the full searchable list.
The Catholic Church has had 267 popes from St. Peter to Pope Leo XIV — each Bishop of Rome and successor of Peter with authority to teach and govern the universal Church. This guide lists every pope with dates, eras, and links to individual biographies for SEO and catechesis.
Why the Pope Matters in Catholic Faith
Catholics believe Jesus entrusted unique authority to Peter — "Upon this rock I will build my Church" (Matthew 16:18) — and that this office continues in an unbroken line of bishops of Rome. The pope is not a CEO elected by popularity; he is the visible head of the universal Church, guardian of apostolic teaching, and servant of the servants of God (Servus servorum Dei). Every name on the list below represents a link in that chain, however imperfectly each man carried the office.
St. Peter: The First Pope
St. Peter (Pontiff 1º) was martyred in Rome under Nero, traditionally crucified upside down. Early Christians preserved his memory at the Vatican Hill, where St. Peter's Basilica now stands. Peter did not live in a palace; he died as bishop of a persecuted minority. Yet the Church remembers him as the foundation stone — not because he was flawless (he denied Christ three times), but because Christ chose him and prayed that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:32).
How Many Popes Have There Been?
The official list in the Annuario Pontificio (Vatican yearbook) recognizes 267 popes from St. Peter through Pope Leo XIV, elected in May 2025. This count excludes antipopes — rival claimants during schisms — and reflects corrections made by historians in the 20th century (for example, removing duplicate entries and clarifying the Western Schism). Dates for the earliest popes are approximate; precise records begin around the 3rd century.
Historical Eras of the Papacy
- Apostolic & Patristic (1st–5th centuries): Martyrdom, persecution, legalization under Constantine, councils of Nicaea and Chalcedon. Popes like Clement, Leo the Great, and Gregory the Great shaped doctrine.
- Medieval (6th–14th centuries): Collapse of Rome, rise of monasticism, investiture controversies, Crusades, Avignon Papacy (1309–1377).
- Renaissance & Reformation (15th–16th centuries): Artistic patronage, Lateran Council V, Protestant Reformation, Council of Trent, missionary expansion to the Americas.
- Early Modern (17th–18th centuries): Baroque Rome, Enlightenment tensions, suppression and restoration of the Jesuits, growing global Church.
- Revolution to Vatican II (19th–20th centuries): Loss of Papal States, First Vatican Council (papal infallibility), two World Wars, John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965).
- Contemporary (1965–present): Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV — popes facing secularization, globalization, and a Church present on every continent.
Most Influential Popes in History
Every pope is equal in office but not in historical impact. These pontiffs especially shaped Catholicism and the wider world:
- St. Leo I the Great (45º): Met Attila the Hun; defined Christological doctrine at Chalcedon.
- St. Gregory I the Great (64º): Sent missionaries to England; shaped medieval liturgy and pastoral care.
- St. Gregory VII (157º): Investiture Controversy; affirmed Church independence from secular rulers.
- Innocent III (176º): Peak of medieval papal influence; Fourth Lateran Council (1215).
- St. Pius V (225º): Council of Trent implementation; standardized the Roman Missal.
- St. John Paul II (264º): Cold War era; first Slavic pope; World Youth Days; Catechism of the Catholic Church.
- Francis (266º): First Latin American pope; emphasis on mercy, simplicity, and the peripheries.
- Leo XIV (267º): First American pope; Augustinian background; elected May 2025.
Antipopes: What They Are (and Why They Are Not on This List)
An antipope is a rival claimant during a schism — not merely a bad pope, but someone the Church ultimately judged not to hold the legitimate succession. The Western Schism (1378–1417) saw multiple claimants; the Council of Constance healed the division. The list below follows the Annuario Pontificio and excludes antipopes. Studying them helps explain why numbering occasionally skips or repeats (e.g., Felix II vs. Felix III).
Complete List of All 267 Popes (Searchable)
The table below lists every pope in chronological order from St. Peter (1º) to Pope Leo XIV (267º). Click any name to open a full biography article with pontificate highlights, legacy, and FAQs. Use the search box to find a pope by name, number, or reign period.
| Nº | Pope | Pontificate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Peter | c. 30 – c. 64 |
| 2 | St. Linus | c. 64 – c. 76 |
| 3 | St. Cletus | c. 76 – c. 88 |
| 4 | St. Clement I | c. 88 – c. 97 |
| 5 | St. Evaristus | c. 97 – c. 105 |
| 6 | St. Alexander I | c. 105 – c. 115 |
| 7 | St. Sixtus I | c. 115 – c. 125 |
| 8 | St. Telesphorus | c. 125 – c. 136 |
| 9 | St. Hyginus | c. 136 – c. 140 |
| 10 | St. Pius I | c. 140 – c. 155 |
| 11 | St. Anicetus | c. 155 – 166/7 |
| 12 | St. Soter | 166/7 – 174/5 |
| 13 | St. Eleutherius | 174/5 – 189 |
| 14 | St. Victor I | 189 – 198/9 |
| 15 | St. Zephyrinus | 198/9 –20 December 217 |
| 16 | St. Callixtus I | 218 –14 October 222 |
| 17 | St. Urban I | 222 –19 May 230 |
| 18 | St. Pontian | 21 July 230 –28 September 235 |
| 19 | St. Anterus | 21 November 235 –3 January 236 |
| 20 | St. Fabian | 10 January 236 –20 January 250 |
| 21 | St. Cornelius | March 251 – June 253 |
| 22 | St. Lucius I | 25 June 253 –5 March 254 |
| 23 | St. Stephen I | 12 March 254 –2 August 257 |
| 24 | St. Sixtus II | 31 August 257 –6 August 258 |
| 25 | St. Dionysius | 22 July 259 –27 December 268 |
| 26 | St. Felix I | 5 January 269 –30 December 274 |
| 27 | St. Eutychian | 4 January 275 –7 December 283 |
| 28 | St. Caius | 17 December 283 –22 April 296 |
| 29 | St. Marcellinus | 30 June 296 –25 October 304 |
| 30 | St. Marcellus I | 27 May 308 –16 January 309 |
| 31 | St. Eusebius | 18 April 309 –17 August 310 |
| 32 | St. Miltiades (Melchiades) | 2 July 311 –10 January 314 |
| 33 | St. Sylvester I | 31 January 314 –31 December 335 |
| 34 | St. Mark | 18 January 336 –7 October 336 |
| 35 | St. Julius I | 6 February 337 –12 April 352 |
| 36 | Liberius | 17 May 352 –24 September 366 |
| 37 | St. Damasus I | 1 October 366 –11 December 384 |
| 38 | St. Siricius | 17 December 384 –26 November 399 |
| 39 | St. Anastasius I | 27 November 399 –19 December 401 |
| 40 | St. Innocent I | 21 December 401 –12 March 417 |
| 41 | St. Zosimus | 18 March 417 –26 December 418 |
| 42 | St. Boniface I | 28 December 418 –4 September 422 |
| 43 | St. Celestine I | 10 September 422 –27 July 432 |
| 44 | St. Sixtus III | 31 July 432 –18 August 440 |
| 45 | St. Leo I the Great | 29 September 440 –10 November 461 |
| 46 | St. Hilarius | 19 November 461 –29 February 468 |
| 47 | St. Simplicius | 3 March 468 –10 March 483 |
| 48 | St. Felix III | 13 March 483 –1 March 492 |
| 49 | St. Gelasius I | 1 March 492 –21 November 496 |
| 50 | Anastasius II | 24 November 496 –19 November 498 |
| 51 | St. Symmachus | 22 November 498 –19 July 514 |
| 52 | St. Hormisdas | 20 July 514 –6 August 523 |
| 53 | St. John I | 13 August 523 –18 May 526 |
| 54 | St. Felix IV | 12 July 526 –22 September 530 |
| 55 | Boniface II | 22 September 530 –17 October 532 |
| 56 | John II | 2 January 533 –8 May 535 |
| 57 | St. Agapetus I | 13 May 535 –22 April 536 |
| 58 | St. Silverius | 8 June 536 –11 March 537 |
| 59 | Vigilius | 29 March 537 –7 June 555 |
| 60 | Pelagius I | 16 April 556 –4 March 561 |
| 61 | John III | 17 July 561 –13 July 574 |
| 62 | Benedict I | 2 June 575 –30 July 579 |
| 63 | Pelagius II | 26 November 579 –7 February 590 |
| 64 | St. Gregory I the Great | 3 September 590 –12 March 604 |
| 65 | Sabinian | 13 September 604 –22 February 606 |
| 66 | Boniface III | 19 February 607 –12 November 607 |
| 67 | St. Boniface IV | 15 September 608 –8 May 615 |
| 68 | St. Adeodatus I | 13 November 615 –8 November 618 |
| 69 | Boniface V | 23 December 619 –25 October 625 |
| 70 | Honorius I | 27 October 625 –12 October 638 |
| 71 | Severinus | 28 May 640 –2 August 640 |
| 72 | John IV | 24 December 640 –12 October 642 |
| 73 | Theodore I | 24 November 642 –14 May 649 |
| 74 | St. Martin I | 5 July 649 –653 or 654 at most |
| 75 | St. Eugene I | 10 August 654 –2 June 657 |
| 76 | St. Vitalian | 30 July 657 –27 January 672 |
| 77 | Adeodatus II | 11 April 672 –17 June 676 |
| 78 | Donus | 2 November 676 –11 April 678 |
| 79 | St. Agatho | 27 June 678 –10 January 681 |
| 80 | St. Leo II LEO Secundus | 17 August 682 –3 July 683 |
| 81 | St. Benedict II | 26 June 684 –8 May 685 |
| 82 | John V | 23 July 685 –2 August 686 |
| 83 | Conon | 21 October 686 –21 September 687 |
| 84 | St. Sergius I | 15 December 687 –8 September 701 |
| 85 | John VI | 30 October 701 –11 January 705 |
| 86 | John VII | 1 March 705 –18 October 707 |
| 87 | Sisinnius | 15 January 708 –4 February 708 |
| 88 | Constantine | 25 March 708 –9 April 715 |
| 89 | St. Gregory II | 19 May 715 –11 February 731 |
| 90 | St. Gregory III | 18 March 731 –28 November 741 |
| 91 | St. Zachary | 3 December 741 –15 March 752 |
| 92 | Stephen II | 26 March 752 –26 April 757 |
| 93 | St. Paul I | 29 May 757 –28 June 767 |
| 94 | Stephen III | 7 August 768 –24 January 772 |
| 95 | Adrian I | 1 February 772 –26 December 795 |
| 96 | St. Leo III LEO Tertius | 26 December 795 –12 June 816 |
| 97 | Stephen IV | 22 June 816 –24 January 817 |
| 98 | St. Paschal I | 25 January 817 –11 February 824 |
| 99 | Eugene II | 6 June 824 –27 August 827 |
| 100 | Valentine | 31 August 827 –10 October 827 |
| 101 | Gregory IV | 20 December 827 –25 January 844 |
| 102 | Sergius II | 25 January 844 –27 January 847 |
| 103 | St. Leo IV LEO Quartus | 10 April 847 –17 July 855 |
| 104 | Benedict III | 29 September 855 –17 April 858 |
| 105 | St. Nicholas I the Great | 24 April 858 –13 November 867 |
| 106 | Adrian II | 14 December 867 –14 December 872 |
| 107 | John VIII | 14 December 872 –16 December 882 |
| 108 | Marinus I | 16 December 882 –15 May 884 |
| 109 | St. Adrian III | 17 May 884 –8 July 885 |
| 110 | Stephen V | September 885 –14 September 891 |
| 111 | Formosus | 6 October 891 –4 April 896 |
| 112 | Boniface VI | 11 April 896 –26 April 896 |
| 113 | Stephen VI | 22 May 896 –14 August 897 |
| 114 | Romanus | 14 August 897 –November 897 |
| 115 | Theodore II | December 897 –20 December 897 |
| 116 | John IX | 18 January 898 –5 January 900 |
| 117 | Benedict IV | 1 February 900 –30 July 903 |
| 118 | Leo V LEO Quintus | 30 July 903 –December 903 |
| 119 | Sergius III | 29 January 904 –14 April 911 |
| 120 | Anastasius III | 14 April 911 –June 913 |
| 121 | Lando | 7 July 913 –5 February 914 |
| 122 | John X | March 914 –28 May 928 |
| 123 | Leo VI LEO Sextus | 28 May 928 –February 929 |
| 124 | Stephen VII | 3 February 929 –13 February 931 |
| 125 | John XI | 15 March 931 –December 935 |
| 126 | Leo VII LEO Septimus | 3 January 936 –13 July 939 |
| 127 | Stephen VIII | 14 July 939 –30 October 942 |
| 128 | Marinus II | 30 October 942 –1 May 946 |
| 129 | Agapetus II | 10 May 946 –8 November 955 |
| 130 | John XII | 16 December 955 –6 December 963 |
| 131 | Benedict V | 22 May 964 –23 June 964 |
| 132 | Leo VIII LEO Octavus | 23 June 964 –1 March 965 |
| 133 | John XIII | 1 October 965 –6 September 972 |
| 134 | Benedict VI | 19 January 973 –8 June 974 |
| 135 | Benedict VII | October 974 –10 July 983 |
| 136 | John XIV | December 983 –20 August 984 |
| 137 | John XV | 20 August 985 –1 April 996 |
| 138 | Gregory V | 3 May 996 –18 February 999 |
| 139 | Sylvester II | 2 April 999 –12 May 1003 |
| 140 | John XVII | 16 May 1003 –6 November 1003 |
| 141 | John | 25 December 1003 –18 July 1009 |
| 142 | Sergius IV | 31 July 1009 –12 May 1012 |
| 143 | Benedict VIII | 18 May 1012 –9 April 1024 |
| 144 | John XIX | 14 May 1024 –6 October 1032 |
| 145 | Benedict IX | 21 October 1032 –31 December 1044 |
| 146 | Sylvester III | 13 January 1045 –10 March 1045 |
| 147 | Benedict IX | 10 March 1045 –1 May 1045 |
| 148 | Gregory VI | 1 May 1045 –20 December 1046 |
| 149 | Clement II | 24 December 1046 –9 October 1047 |
| 150 | Benedict IX | 8 November 1047 –17 July 1048 |
| 151 | Damasus II | 17 July 1048 –9 August 1048 |
| 152 | St. Leo IX LEO Nonus | 12 February 1049 –19 April 1054 |
| 153 | Victor II | 13 April 1055 –28 July 1057 |
| 154 | Stephen IX | 2 August 1057 –29 March 1058 |
| 155 | Nicholas II | 6 December 1058 –27 July 1061 |
| 156 | Alexander II | 30 September 1061–21 April 1073 |
| 157 | St. Gregory VII | 22 April 1073–25 May 1085 |
| 158 | Bl. Victor III | 24 May 1086–16 September 1087 |
| 159 | Bl. Urban II | 12 March 1088–29 July 1099 |
| 160 | Paschal II | 13 August 1099–21 January 1118 |
| 161 | Gelasius II | 24 January 1118–29 January 1119 |
| 162 | Callixtus II | 2 February 1119–13 December 1124 |
| 163 | Honorius II | 21 December 1124–13 February 1130 |
| 164 | Innocent II | 14 February 1130–24 September 1143 |
| 165 | Celestine II | 26 September 1143–8 March 1144 |
| 166 | Lucius II | 12 March 1144–15 February 1145 |
| 167 | Bl. Eugene III | 15 February 1145–8 July 1153 |
| 168 | Anastasius IV | 12 July 1153–3 December 1154 |
| 169 | Adrian IV | 4 December 1154–1 September 1159 |
| 170 | Alexander III | 7 September 1159–30 August 1181 |
| 171 | Lucius III | 1 September 1181–25 November 1185 |
| 172 | Urban III | 25 November 1185–20 October 1187 |
| 173 | Gregory VIII | 21 October 1187–17 December 1187 |
| 174 | Clement III | 19 December 1187–20 March 1191 |
| 175 | Celestine III | 30 March 1191–8 January 1198 |
| 176 | Innocent III | 8 January 1198–16 July 1216 |
| 177 | Honorius III | 18 July 1216–18 March 1227 |
| 178 | Gregory IX | 19 March 1227–22 August 1241 |
| 179 | Celestine IV | 25 October 1241–10 November 1241 |
| 180 | Innocent IV | 25 June 1243–7 December 1254 |
| 181 | Alexander IV | 12 December 1254–25 May 1261 |
| 182 | Urban IV | 29 August 1261–2 October 1264 |
| 183 | Clement IV | 5 February 1265–29 November 1268 |
| 184 | Bl. Gregory X | 1 September 1271–10 January 1276 |
| 185 | Bl. Innocent V | 21 January 1276–22 June 1276 |
| 186 | Adrian V | 11 July 1276–18 August 1276 |
| 187 | John XXI | 8 September 1276–20 May 1277 |
| 188 | Nicholas III | 25 November 1277–22 August 1280 |
| 189 | Martin IV | 22 February 1281–28 March 1285 |
| 190 | Honorius IV | 2 April 1285–3 April 1287 |
| 191 | Nicholas IV | 22 February 1288–4 April 1292 |
| 192 | St. Celestine V | 5 July 1294–13 December 1294 |
| 193 | Boniface VIII | 24 December 1294–11 October 1303 |
| 194 | Bl. Benedict XI | 22 October 1303–7 July 1304 |
| 195 | Clement V | 5 June 1305–20 April 1314 |
| 196 | John XXII | 7 August 1316–4 December 1334 |
| 197 | Benedict XII | 20 December 1334–25 April 1342 |
| 198 | Clement VI | 7 May 1342–6 December 1352 |
| 199 | Innocent VI | 18 December 1352–12 September 1362 |
| 200 | Bl. Urban V | 28 September 1362–19 December 1370 |
| 201 | Gregory XI | 30 December 1370–27 March 1378 |
| 202 | Urban VI | 8 April 1378–15 October 1389 |
| 203 | Boniface IX | 2 November 1389–1 October 1404 |
| 204 | Innocent VII | 17 October 1404–6 November 1406 |
| 205 | Gregory XII | 30 November 1406–4 July 1415 |
| 206 | Martin V | 11 November 1417–20 February 1431 |
| 207 | Eugene IV | 3 March 1431–23 February 1447 |
| 208 | Nicholas V | 6 March 1447–24 March 1455 |
| 209 | Callixtus III | 8 April 1455–6 August 1458 |
| 210 | Pius II | 19 August 1458–15 August 1464 |
| 211 | Paul II | 30 August 1464–26 July 1471 |
| 212 | Sixtus IV | 9 August 1471–12 August 1484 |
| 213 | Innocent VIII | 29 August 1484–25 July 1492 |
| 214 | Alexander VI | 11 August 1492–18 August 1503 |
| 215 | Pius III | 22 September 1503–18 October 1503 |
| 216 | Julius II | 31 October 1503–21 February 1513 |
| 217 | Leo X LEO Decimus | 9 March 1513–1 December 1521 |
| 218 | Adrian VI | 9 January 1522–14 September 1523 |
| 219 | Clement VII | 26 November 1523–25 September 1534 |
| 220 | Paul III | 13 October 1534–10 November 1549 |
| 221 | Julius III | 7 February 1550–29 March 1555 |
| 222 | Marcellus II | 9 April 1555–1 May 1555 |
| 223 | Paul IV | 23 May 1555–18 August 1559 |
| 224 | Pius IV | 26 December 1559–9 December 1565 |
| 225 | St. Pius V | 7 January 1566–1 May 1572 |
| 226 | Gregory XIII | 13 May 1572–10 April 1585 |
| 227 | Sixtus V | 24 April 1585–27 August 1590 |
| 228 | Urban VII | 15 September 1590–27 September 1590 |
| 229 | Gregory XIV | 5 December 1590–16 October 1591 |
| 230 | Innocent IX | 29 October 1591–30 December 1591 |
| 231 | Clement VIII | 30 January 1592–3 March 1605 |
| 232 | Leo XI LEO Undecimus | 1 April 1605–27 April 1605 |
| 233 | Paul V | 16 May 1605–28 January 1621 |
| 234 | Gregory XV | 9 February 1621–8 July 1623 |
| 235 | Urban VIII | 6 August 1623–29 July 1644 |
| 236 | Innocent X | 15 September 1644–7 January 1655 |
| 237 | Alexander VII | 7 April 1655–22 May 1667 |
| 238 | Clement IX | 20 June 1667–9 December 1669 |
| 239 | Clement X | 29 April 1670–22 July 1676 |
| 240 | Bl. Innocent XI | 21 September 1676–12 August 1689 |
| 241 | Alexander VIII | 6 October 1689–1 February 1691 |
| 242 | Innocent XII | 12 July 1691–27 September 1700 |
| 243 | Clement XI | 23 November 1700–19 March 1721 |
| 244 | Innocent XIII | 8 May 1721–7 March 1724 |
| 245 | Servant of God Benedict XIII | 29 May 1724–21 February 1730 |
| 246 | Clement XII | 12 July 1730–6 February 1740 |
| 247 | Benedict XIV | 17 August 1740–3 May 1758 |
| 248 | Clement XIII | 6 July 1758–2 February 1769 |
| 249 | Clement XIV | 19 May 1769–22 September 1774 |
| 250 | Pius VI | 15 February 1775–29 August 1799 |
| 251 | Servant of God Pius VII | 14 March 1800–20 August 1823 |
| 252 | Leo XII LEO Duodecimus | 28 September 1823–10 February 1829 |
| 253 | Pius VIII | 31 March 1829–30 November 1830 |
| 254 | Gregory XVI | 2 February 1831–1 June 1846 |
| 255 | Bl. Pius IX | 16 June 1846–7 February 1878 |
| 256 | Leo XIII LEO Tertius Decimus | 20 February 1878–20 July 1903 |
| 257 | St. Pius X | 4 August 1903–20 August 1914 |
| 258 | Benedict XV | 3 September 1914–22 January 1922 |
| 259 | Pius XI | 6 February 1922–10 February 1939 |
| 260 | Ven. Pius XII | 2 March 1939–9 October 1958 |
| 261 | St. John | 28 October 1958–3 June 1963 |
| 262 | St. Paul VI | 21 June 1963–6 August 1978 |
| 263 | John Paul I | 26 August 1978–28 September 1978 |
| 264 | John Paul II | 16 October 1978– 2 April 2005 |
| 265 | Benedict XVI | 19 April 2005– 28 February 2013 |
| 266 | Francis | 13 March 2013– 21 April 2025 |
| 267 | Leo XIV | 8 May 2025–present |
How a Pope Is Elected Today
When a pope dies or resigns (as Benedict XVI did in 2013), cardinals under age 80 gather in conclave in the Sistine Chapel. Secrecy, prayer, and ballots continue until a two-thirds majority elects a new pope. White smoke from the chimney announces a choice; the senior cardinal deacon proclaims Habemus Papam — "We have a pope." The new pope chooses his regnal name (Francis, Leo, John Paul, etc.), often signaling his vision for the pontificate.
Saints, Doctors, and Martyrs Among the Popes
Roughly half of the first 50 popes are venerated as saints; many early bishops of Rome died as martyrs. Thirty-seven popes have been declared Doctors of the Church — including Leo the Great, Gregory the Great, and John Paul II. Not every holy pope was canonized; not every capable administrator was a saint. Catholics honor the office while acknowledging human weakness in those who held it.