List of All Popes: Complete Guide from St. Peter to Pope Leo XIV

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 Table)

The table below lists every pope in chronological order from St. Peter (1º) to Pope Leo XIV (267º), with pontificate dates, birthplace, duration of reign, and portrait when available. Data is synchronized from the Wikipedia list of popes (Portuguese) (updated 2026-08-06) and merged with our English biographies. Click any name to open a full article with highlights, legacy, and FAQs.

Search all 267 popes by name, number, dates, or birthplace

Showing 267 of 267 popes

Nº	Photo	Pope	Pontificate	Birthplace	Duration
1		St. PeterPetrus	c. 28 October 30 – c. 29 June 67	Bethsaida, Galilee, Roman Empire	c. 36 years, 244 days
2		St. LinusLinus	c. 67 – c. 23 September 76	Tuscia, Italy, Roman Empire	c. 8–9 years
3		St. CletusAnacletus	c. 76 – c. 88	Athens, Achaea, Roman Empire	c. 11–12 years
4		St. Clement IClemens Primus	c. 88 – c. 97	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	c. 8–9 years
5		St. EvaristusEvaristus	c. 97 – c. 105	Bethlehem, Judea, Roman Empire	c. 7–8 years
6		St. Alexander IAlexander Primus	c. 105 – c. 116	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	c. 10–11 years
7		St. Sixtus IXystus Primus	c. 116 – c. 3 April 125	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	c. 8–9 years
8		St. TelesphorusTelesphorus	c. 125 – c. 138	Athens, Achaea, Roman Empire	c. 12–13 years
9		St. HyginusHyginus	c. 138 – c. 142	Athens, Achaea, Roman Empire	c. 3–4 years
10		St. Pius IPius Primus	c. 142 – c. 155	Aquileia, Roman Empire	c. 12–13 years
11		St. AnicetusAnicetus	c. 155 – c. 20 April 166	Emersa, Síria, Roman Empire	c. 10–11 years
12		St. SoterSoterius	c. 166 – c. 175	Fondi, Roman Empire	c. 8–9 years
13		St. EleutheriusEleutherius	c. 175 – c. 24 May 189	Nicópolis, Épiro, Roman Empire	c. 13–14 years
14		St. Victor IVictor Primus	c. 189 – c. 28 July 199	África, Roman Empire	c. 9–10 years
15		St. ZephyrinusZephyrinus	c. 199 – c. 20 December 217	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	c. 17–18 years
16		St. Callixtus ICallistus Primus	c. 217 – c. 11 October 222	Península Ibérica, Roman Empire	c. 4–5 years
17		St. Urban IUrbanus Primus	c. 222 – c. 23 May 230	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	c. 7–8 years
18		St. PontianPontianus	21 July 230 – 28 September 235	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	5 years, 69 days
19		St. AnterusAnterus	21 November 235 – 3 January 236	Petilia Policasto, Italy, Roman Empire	43 days
20		St. FabianFabianus	10 January 236 – 20 January 250	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	14 years, 10 days
21		St. CorneliusCornelius	6 March 251 – c. June 253	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	c. 2 years, 101 days
22		St. Lucius ILucius Primus	25 June 253 – 5 March 254	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	253 days
23		St. Stephen IStephanus Primus	12 May 254 – 2 August 257	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	3 years, 82 days
24		St. Sixtus IIXystus Secundus	31 August 257 – 6 August 258	Grécia, Roman Empire	340 days
25		St. DionysiusDionysius	22 July 259 – 26 December 268	Grécia, Roman Empire	9 years, 157 days
26		St. Felix IFelix Primus	5 January 269 – 30 December 274	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	5 years, 359 days
27		St. EutychianEutychianus	4 January 275 – 7 December 283	Luni, Italy, Roman Empire	8 years, 337 days
28		St. CaiusCaius	17 December 283 – 22 April 296	Salona, Dalmácia, Roman Empire	12 years, 127 days
29		St. MarcellinusMarcellinus	30 June 296 – c. 25 October 304	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	c. 8 years, 117 days
30		St. Marcellus IMarcellus Primus	27 May 308 – 16 January 309	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	234 days
31		St. EusebiusEusebius	c. 18 April 309 – c. 17 August 310	Sardenha, Roman Empire	c. 1 year, 121 days
32		St. Miltiades (Melchiades)Miltiades	2 July 311 – 10 January 314	África Protoconsular, Roman Empire	2 years, 192 days
33		St. Sylvester ISilvester Primus	31 January 314 – 31 December 335	Sant'Angelo a Scala, Italy, Roman Empire	21 years, 334 days
34		St. MarkMarcus	18 January 336 – 7 October 336	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	263 days
35		St. Julius IIulius Primus	6 February 337 – 12 April 352	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	15 years, 66 days
36		LiberiusLiberius	17 May 352 – 24 September 366	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	14 years, 130 days
37		St. Damasus IDamasus Primus	1 October 366 – 11 December 384	Egitânia, Lusitânia, Roman Empire	18 years, 71 days
38		St. SiriciusSiricius	17 December 384 – 26 November 399	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	14 years, 344 days
39		St. Anastasius IAnastasius Primus	27 November 399 – 19 December 401	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	2 years, 22 days
40		St. Innocent IInnocentius Primus	22 December 401 – 12 March 417	Albano Laziale, Roman Empire	15 years, 80 days
41		St. ZosimusZosimus	18 March 417 – 26 December 418	Misoraca, Italy, Roman Empire	1 year, 283 days
42		St. Boniface IBonifacius Primus	28 December 418 – 4 September 422	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	3 years, 250 days
43		St. Celestine ICoelestinus Primus	10 September 422 – 27 July 432	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	9 years, 321 days
44		St. Sixtus IIIXystus Tertius	31 July 432 – 18 August 440	Rome, Italy, Roman Empire	8 years, 18 days
45		St. Leo I the GreatLeo Primus	29 September 440 – 10 November 461	Atual Toscana, Roman Empire	21 years, 42 days
46		St. HilariusHilarius	19 November 461 – 29 February 468	Sardenha, Império Ocidental	6 years, 102 days
47		St. SimpliciusSimplicius	3 March 468 – 10 March 483	Tívoli, Italy, Império Ocidental	15 years, 7 days
48		St. Felix IIIFelix Tertius (Secundus)	13 March 483 – 1 March 492	Rome, Italy, Império Ocidental	8 years, 354 days
49		St. Gelasius IGelasius Primus	1 March 492 – 21 November 496	Mauritânia, Império Ocidental	4 years, 265 days
50		Anastasius IIAnastasius Secundus	24 November 496 – 19 November 498	Rome, Italy, Império Ocidental	1 year, 360 days
51		St. SymmachusSymmachus	22 November 498 – 19 July 514	Sardenha, Império Ocidental	15 years, 239 days
52		St. HormisdasHormisdus	20 July 514 – 6 August 523	Frosinone, Império Ocidental	9 years, 17 days
53		St. John IIoannes Primus	13 August 523 – 18 May 526	Toscana, Império Ocidental	2 years, 278 days
54		St. Felix IVFelix Quartus (Tertius)	12 July 526 – 22 September 530	Sâmnio, Império Ocidental	4 years, 72 days
55		Boniface IIBonifacius Secundus	22 September 530 – 17 October 532	Rome, Reino Visigótico	2 years, 25 days
56		John IIIoannes Secundus	2 January 533 – 8 May 535	Rome, Reino Visigótico	2 years, 126 days
57		St. Agapetus IAgapetus Primus	13 May 535 – 22 April 536	Rome, Reino Visigótico	345 days
58		St. SilveriusSilverius	8 June 536 – c. 11 March 537	Frosinone, Reino Visigótico	c. 276 days
59		VigiliusVigilius	29 March 537 – 7 June 555	Rome, Reino Visigótico	18 years, 70 days
60		Pelagius IPelagius Primus	16 April 556 – 4 March 561	Rome, Reino Visigótico	4 years, 322 days
61		John IIIIoannes Tertius	17 July 561 – 13 July 574	Rome, Reino Visigótico	12 years, 361 days
62		Benedict IBenedictus Primus	2 June 575 – 30 July 579	Rome, Reino Visigótico	4 years, 58 days
63		Pelagius IIPelagius Secundus	26 November 579 – 7 February 590	Rome, Reino Visigótico	10 years, 73 days
64		St. Gregory I the GreatGregorius Primus	3 September 590 – 12 March 604	Rome, Reino Visigótico	13 years, 191 days
65		SabinianSabinianus	13 September 604 – 22 February 606	Blera, Reino Visigótico	1 year, 162 days
66		Boniface IIIBonifacius Tertius	19 February 607 – 12 November 607	Rome, Reino Visigótico	266 days
67		St. Boniface IVBonifacius Quartus	25 August 608 – 8 May 615	Marsi, Reino Visigótico	6 years, 256 days
68		St. Adeodatus IAdeodatus Primus	19 October 615 – 8 November 618	Rome, Império Bizantino	3 years, 20 days
69		Boniface VBonifacius Quintus	23 December 619 – 25 October 625	Nápoles, Império Bizantino	5 years, 306 days
70		Honorius IHonorius Primus	27 October 625 – 12 October 638	Campânia, Império Bizantino	12 years, 350 days
71		SeverinusSeverinus	15 October 638 – 2 August 640	Rome, Império Bizantino	1 year, 292 days
72		John IVIoannes Quartus	24 December 640 – 12 October 642	Zadar, Dalmácia, Império Bizantino	1 year, 292 days
73		Theodore ITheodorus Primus	24 November 642 – 14 May 649	Palestina, Império Bizantino	6 years, 171 days
74		St. Martin IMartinus Primus	21 July 649 – 16 September 655	Perto de Todi, Úmbria, Império Bizantino	6 years, 57 days
75		St. Eugene IEugenius Primus	10 August 654 – 2 June 657	Rome, Império Bizantino	2 years, 296 days
76		St. VitalianVitalianus	30 July 657 – 27 January 672	Segni, Império Bizantino	14 years, 181 days
77		Adeodatus IIAdeodatus Secundus	11 April 672 – 17 June 676	Rome, Império Bizantino	4 years, 67 days
78		DonusDonus	2 November 676 – 11 April 678	Rome, Império Bizantino	1 year, 160 days
79		St. AgathoAgatho	27 June 678 – 10 January 681	Sicília, Império Bizantino	2 years, 197 days
80		St. Leo II LEO SecundusLeo Secundus	17 August 682 – 28 June 683	Sicília, Império Bizantino	315 days
81		St. Benedict IIBenedictus Secundus	26 June 684 – 8 May 685	Rome, Império Bizantino	316 days
82		John VIoannes Quintus	23 July 685 – 2 August 686	Síria, Império Bizantino	1 year, 10 days
83		CononConon	21 October 686 – 21 September 687	Sicília, Império Bizantino	335 days
84		St. Sergius ISergius Primus	15 December 687 – 8 September 701	Sicília, Império Bizantino	13 years, 267 days
85		John VIIoannes Sextus	30 October 701 – 11 January 705	Grécia, Império Bizantino	3 years, 73 days
86		John VIIIoannes Septimus	1 March 705 – 18 October 707	Rossano, Império Bizantino	2 years, 231 days
87		SisinniusSisinnius	15 January 708 – 4 February 708	Síria, Império Bizantino	20 days
88		ConstantineConstantinus	25 March 708 – 9 April 715	Síria, Império Bizantino	7 years, 15 days
89		St. Gregory IIGregorius Secundus	19 May 715 – 11 February 731	Rome, Império Bizantino	15 years, 268 days
90		St. Gregory IIIGregorius Tertius	18 March 731 – 28 November 741	Bilad al-Sham, Califado Omíada	10 years, 255 days
91		St. ZacharyZacharias	3 December 741 – 22 March 752	Santa Severina, Império Bizantino	10 years, 110 days
92		Stephen IIStephanus Secundus (Tertius)	26 March 752 – 26 April 757	Rome, Império Bizantino	5 years, 31 days
93		St. Paul IPaulus Primus	29 May 757 – 28 June 767	Rome, Império Bizantino	10 years, 30 days
94		Stephen IIIStephanus Tertius (Quartus)	7 August 767 – 24 January 772	Sicília, Império Bizantino	4 years, 170 days
95		Adrian IHadrianus Primus	1 February 772 – 25 December 795	Rome, Império Bizantino	23 years, 327 days
96		St. Leo III LEO TertiusLeo Tertius	26 December 795 – 12 June 816	Rome, Império Bizantino	20 years, 169 days
97		Stephen IVStephanus Quartus (Quintus)	22 June 816 – 24 January 817	Rome, Estados Papais	216 days
98		St. Paschal IPaschalis Primus	25 January 817 – 11 February 824	Rome, Estados Papais	7 years, 17 days
99		Eugene IIEugenius Secundus	c. 8 May 824 – 27 August 827	Rome, Estados Papais	c. 3 years, 111 days
100		ValentineValentinus	c. 31 August 827 – c. 10 October 827	Rome, Estados Papais	c. 40 days
101		Gregory IVGregorius Quartus	c. 20 December 827 – 25 January 844	Rome, Estados Papais	c. 16 years, 36 days
102		Sergius IISergius Secundus	25 January 844 – 27 January 847	Rome, Estados Papais	3 years, 2 days
103		St. Leo IV LEO QuartusLeo Quartus	10 April 847 – 17 July 855	Rome, Estados Papais	8 years, 98 days
104		Benedict IIIBenedictus Tertius	29 September 855 – 17 April 858	Rome, Estados Papais	2 years, 200 days
105		St. Nicholas I the GreatNicolaus Primus	24 April 858 – 13 November 867	Rome, Estados Papais	9 years, 203 days
106		Adrian IIHadrianus Secundus	14 December 867 – 14 December 872	Rome, Estados Papais	5 years, 0 days
107		John VIIIIoannes Octavus	14 December 872 – 16 December 882	Rome, Estados Papais	10 years, 2 days
108		Marinus IMarinus Primus	16 December 882 – 15 May 884	Gallese, Estados Papais	1 year, 151 days
109		St. Adrian IIIHadrianus Tertius	17 May 884 – 8 July 885	Rome, Estados Papais	1 year, 52 days
110		Stephen VStephanus Quintus (Sextus)	4 September 885 – 14 September 891	Rome, Estados Papais	6 years, 10 days
111		FormosusFormosus	6 October 891 – 4 April 896	Rome, Estados Papais	4 years, 181 days
112		Boniface VIBonifacius Sextus	11 April 896 – 26 April 896	Rome, Estados Papais	15 days
113		Stephen VIStephanus Sextus (Septimus)	22 May 896 – c. 14 August 897	Rome, Estados Papais	c. 1 year, 84 days
114		RomanusRomanus	c. 14 August 897 – c. 14 November 897	Gallese, Estados Papais	c. 92 days
115		Theodore IITheodorus Secundus	c. 1 December 897 – c. 20 December 897	Rome, Estados Papais	c. 19 days
116		John IXIoannes Nonus	18 January 898 – 5 January 900	Tivoli, Estados Papais	1 year, 352 days
117		Benedict IVBenedictus Quartus	1 February 900 a30 July 903	Rome, Estados Papais	3 years, 179 days
118		Leo V LEO QuintusLeo Quintus	c. 30 July 903 – c. December 903	Árdea, Estados Papais	c. 124 days
119		Sergius IIISergius Tertius	29 January 904 – 14 April 911	Rome, Estados Papais	7 years, 75 days
120		Anastasius IIIAnastasius Tertius	c. 14 April 911 – c. June 913	Rome, Estados Papais	c. 2 years, 48 days
121		LandoLandus	c. 7 July 913 – c. 5 February 914	Rome, Estados Papais	c. 212 days
122		John XIoannes Decimus	c. March 914 ac. 28 May 928	Romanha, Estados Papais	c. 14 years, 88 days
123		Leo VI LEO SextusLeo Sextus	c. 28 May 928 – c. February 929	Rome, Estados Papais	c. 249 days
124		Stephen VIIStephanus Septimus (Octavus)	c. 3 February 929 – 15 March 931	Rome, Estados Papais	c. 2 years, 40 days
125		John XIIoannes Undecimus	c. 15 March 931 – c. December 935	Rome, Estados Papais	c. 4 years, 261 days
126		Leo VII LEO SeptimusLeo Septimus	3 January 936 – 13 July 939	Rome, Estados Papais	3 years, 191 days
127		Stephen VIIIStephanus Octavus (Nonus)	14 July 939 – c. 30 October 942	Frância Oriental	c. 3 years, 108 days
128		Marinus IIMarinus Secundus	30 October 942 – c. 1 May 946	Rome, Estados Papais	c. 3 years, 183 days
129		Agapetus IIAgapetus Secundus	10 May 946 – 8 November 955	Rome, Estados Papais	9 years, 182 days
130		John XIIIoannes Duodecimus	16 December 955 – 14 May 964	Rome, Estados Papais	8 years, 150 days
131		Benedict VBenedictus Quintus	22 May 964 – 23 June 964	Rome, Estados Papais	32 days
132		Leo VIII LEO OctavusLeo Octavus	23 June 964 – 1 March 965	Rome, Estados Papais	251 days
133		John XIIIIoannes Decimus Tertius	1 October 965 – 6 September 972	Rome, Estados Papais	6 years, 341 days
134		Benedict VIBenedictus Sextus	19 January 973 – c. 8 June 974	Rome, Estados Papais	c. 1 year, 140 days
135		Benedict VIIBenedictus Septimus	c. October 974 – 10 July 983	Rome, Estados Papais	c. 8 years, 282 days
136		John XIVIoannes Decimus Quartus	c. December 983 – 20 August 984	Pavia, Sacro Roman Empire	c. 263 days
137		John XVIoannes Decimus Quintus	c. 20 August 985 – c. 1 April 996	Rome, Estados Papais	c. 10 years, 225 days
138		Gregory VGregorius Quintus	3 May 996 – 18 February 999	Saxônia, Sacro Roman Empire	2 years, 291 days
139		Sylvester IISilvester Secundus	2 April 999 – 12 May 1003	Auvernia, France	4 years, 40 days
140		John XVIIIoannes Decimus Septimus	16 May 1003 – 6 November 1003	Rome, Estados Papais	174 days
141		JohnIoannes Duodevicesimus	25 December 1003 – 31 July 1009	Rome, Sacro Roman Empire	5 years, 218 days
142		Sergius IV	31 July 1009 – 12 May 1012	Rapagnano, Sacro Roman Empire	2 years, 286 days
143		Benedict VIIIBendedictus Octavus	18 May 1012 – 9 April 1024	Rome, Sacro Roman Empire	11 years, 327 days
144		John XIXIoannes Undevicesimus	9 April 1024 – 20 October 1032	Rome, Sacro Roman Empire	8 years, 194 days
145		Benedict IXBenedictus Nonus	21 October 1032 – 13 January 1045	Rome, Sacro Roman Empire	12 years, 84 days
146		Sylvester IIISilvester Tertius	16 January 1045 – 10 April 1045	Rome, Sacro Roman Empire	84 days
147		Benedict IXBenedictus Nonus	10 April 1045 – 1 May 1045	Rome, Sacro Roman Empire	21 days
148		Gregory VIGregorius Sextus	1 May 1045 – 20 December 1046	Rome, Sacro Roman Empire	1 year, 233 days
149		Clement IIClemens Secundus	20 December 1046 – 9 October 1047	Hornburg, Sacro Roman Empire	293 days
150		Benedict IXBenedictus Nonus	9 October 1047 – 17 July 1048	Rome, Sacro Roman Empire	282 days
151		Damasus IIDamasus Secundus	17 July 1048 – 9 August 1048	Pildenau, Sacro Roman Empire	23 days
152		St. Leo IX LEO NonusLeo Nonus	12 February 1049 – 19 April 1054	Eguischeim, Sacro Roman Empire	5 years, 66 days
153		Victor IIVictor Secundus	13 April 1055 – 28 July 1057	Baviera, Sacro Roman Empire	2 years, 106 days
154		Stephen IXStephanus Nonus (Decimus)	2 August 1057 – 29 March 1058	Lorena, Sacro Roman Empire	239 days
155		Nicholas IINicolaus Secundus	6 December 1058 – 27 July 1061	Mercury, France	2 years, 233 days
156		Alexander IIAlexander Secundus	30 September 1061 – 21 April 1073	Milão, Sacro Roman Empire	11 years, 203 days
157		St. Gregory VIIGregorius Septimus	22 April 1073 – 25 May 1085	Sovana, Sacro Roman Empire	12 years, 33 days
158		Bl. Victor IIIVictor Tertius	24 May 1086 – 16 September 1087	Benevento, Ducado de Benevento	1 year, 115 days
159		Bl. Urban IIUrbanus Secundus	12 March 1088 – 29 July 1099	Lagery, France	11 years, 139 days
160		Paschal IIPaschalis Secundus	13 August 1099 – 21 January 1118	Santa Sofia, Sacro Roman Empire	18 years, 161 days
161		Gelasius IIGelasius Secundus	24 January 1118 – 29 January 1119	Gaeta, Principado de Cápua	1 year, 5 days
162		Callixtus IICallistus Secundus	2 February 1119 – 13 December 1124	Quingey, Sacro Roman Empire	5 years, 315 days
163		Honorius IIHonorius Secundus	15 December 1124 – 13 February 1130	Casalfiumanese, Sacro Roman Empire	5 years, 60 days
164		Innocent IIInnocentius Secundus	14 February 1130 – 24 September 1143	Rome, Sacro Roman Empire	13 years, 232 days
165		Celestine IICoelestinus Secundus	26 September 1143 – 8 March 1144	Città di Castello, Sacro Roman Empire	164 days
166		Lucius IILucius Secundus	9 March 1144 – 15 February 1145	Bolonha, Sacro Roman Empire	343 days
167		Bl. Eugene IIIEugenius Tertius	15 February 1145 – 8 July 1153	Pisa, Sacro Roman Empire	8 years, 143 days
168		Anastasius IVAnastacius Quartus	8 July 1153 – 3 December 1154	Rome, Sacro Roman Empire	1 year, 148 days
169		Adrian IVHadrianus Quartus	4 December 1154 – 1 September 1159	Hertfordshire, England	4 years, 271 days
170		Alexander IIIAlexander Tertius	7 September 1159 – 30 August 1181	Siena, Sacro Roman Empire	21 years, 357 days
171		Lucius IIILucius Tertius	1 September 1181 – 25 November 1185	Luca, Sacro Roman Empire	4 years, 85 days
172		Urban IIIUrbanus Tertius	25 November 1185 – 20 October 1187	Cuggiono, Sacro Roman Empire	1 year, 329 days
173		Gregory VIIIGregorius Octavus	21 October 1187 – 17 December 1187	Benevento, Sacro Roman Empire	57 days
174		Clement IIIClemens Tertius	19 December 1187 – 20 March 1191	Rome, Sacro Roman Empire	3 years, 91 days
175		Celestine IIICoelestinus Tertius	30 March 1191 – 8 January 1198	Rome, Sacro Roman Empire	6 years, 284 days
176		Innocent IIIInnocentius Tertius	8 January 1198 – 16 July 1216	Gavignano, Sacro Roman Empire	18 years, 190 days
177		Honorius IIIHonorius Tertius	18 July 1216 – 18 March 1227	Rome, Sacro Roman Empire	10 years, 243 days
178		Gregory IXGregorius Nonus	19 March 1227 – 22 August 1241	Anagni, Sacro Roman Empire	14 years, 156 days
179		Celestine IVCoelestinus Quartus	25 October 1241 – 10 November 1241	Milão, Sacro Roman Empire	16 days
180		Innocent IVInnocentius Quartus	25 June 1243 – 7 December 1254	Génova, República de Génova	11 years, 165 days
181		Alexander IVAlexander Quartus	12 December 1254 – 25 May 1261	Anagni, Sacro Roman Empire	6 years, 164 days
182		Urban IVUrbanus Quartus	29 August 1261 – 2 October 1264	Troyes, France	3 years, 34 days
183		Clement IVClemens Quartus	5 February 1265 – 29 November 1268	Saint-Gilles, France	3 years, 298 days
184		Bl. Gregory XGregorius Decimus	1 September 1271 – 10 January 1276	Placência, Sacro Roman Empire	4 years, 131 days
185		Bl. Innocent VInnocentius Quintus	21 January 1276 – 22 June 1276	Saboia, Sacro Roman Empire	153 days
186		Adrian VHadrianus Quintus	11 July 1276 – 18 August 1276	Génova, República de Génova	38 days
187		John XXIIoannes Vicesimus Primus	8 September 1276 – 20 May 1277	Lisboa, Portugal	254 days
188		Nicholas IIINicolaus Tertius	25 November 1277 – 22 August 1280	Rome, Sacro Roman Empire	2 years, 271 days
189		Martin IVMartinus Quartus	22 February 1281 – 28 March 1285	Meinpicien, France	4 years, 34 days
190		Honorius IVHonorius Quartus	2 April 1285 – 3 April 1287	Rome, Sacro Roman Empire	2 years, 1 day
191		Nicholas IVNicolaus Quartus	22 February 1288 – 4 April 1292	Lisciano Niccone, Sacro Roman Empire	4 years, 42 days
192		St. Celestine VCoelestinus Quintus	5 July 1294 – 13 December 1294	Sant'Angelo Limosano, Reino da Sicília	161 days
193		Boniface VIIIBonifacius Octavus	24 December 1294 – 11 October 1303	Anagni, Sacro Roman Empire	8 years, 261 days
194		Bl. Benedict XIBenedictus Undecimus	22 October 1303 – 7 July 1304	Treviso, Sacro Roman Empire	259 days
195		Clement VClemens Quintus	5 June 1305 – 20 April 1314	Villandraut, France	8 years, 319 days
196		John XXIIIoannes Vicesimus Secundus	7 August 1316 – 4 December 1334	Cahors, France	18 years, 119 days
197		Benedict XIIBenedictus Duodecimus	20 December 1334 – 25 April 1342	Saverdun, France	7 years, 126 days
198		Clement VIClemens Sextus	7 May 1342 – 6 December 1352	Maumont, France	10 years, 213 days
199		Innocent VIInnocentius Sextus	18 December 1352 – 12 September 1362	Les Monts, France	9 years, 268 days
200		Bl. Urban VUrbanus Quintus	28 September 1362 – 19 December 1370	Grizac, France	8 years, 82 days
201		Gregory XIGregorius Undecimus	30 December 1370 – 27 March 1378	Maumont, France	7 years, 87 days
202		Urban VIUrbanus Sextus	8 April 1378 – 15 October 1389	Nápoles, Reino de Nápoles	11 years, 190 days
203		Boniface IXBonifacius Nonus	2 November 1389 – 1 October 1404	Nápoles, Reino de Nápoles	14 years, 334 days
204		Innocent VIIInnocentius Septimus	17 October 1404 – 6 November 1406	Sulmona, Reino de Nápoles	2 years, 20 days
205		Gregory XIIGregorius Duodecimus	30 November 1406 – 4 July 1415	Veneza, República de Veneza	8 years, 216 days
206		Martin VMartinus Quintus	11 November 1417 – 20 February 1431	Genazzano, Estados Papais	13 years, 101 days
207		Eugene IVEugenius Quartus	3 March 1431 – 23 February 1447	Veneza, República de Veneza	15 years, 357 days
208		Nicholas VNicolaus Quintus	6 March 1447 – 24 March 1455	Sarzana, República de Génova	8 years, 18 days
209		Callixtus IIICallistus Tertius	8 April 1455 – 6 August 1458	Xátiva, Reino de Aragão	3 years, 120 days
210		Pius IIPius Secundus	19 August 1458 – 14 August 1464	Corsignano, República de Siena	5 years, 361 days
211		Paul IIPaulus Secundus	30 August 1464 – 26 July 1471	Veneza, República de Veneza	6 years, 330 days
212		Sixtus IVXystus Quartus	9 August 1471 – 12 August 1484	Celle Ligure, República de Génova	13 years, 3 days
213		Innocent VIIIInnocentius Octavus	29 August 1484 – 25 July 1492	Génova, República de Génova	7 years, 331 days
214		Alexander VIAlexander Sextus	11 August 1492 – 18 August 1503	Xátiva, Reino de Aragão	11 years, 7 days
215		Pius IIIPius Tertius	22 September 1503 – 18 October 1503	Corsignano, República de Siena	26 days
216		Julius IIIulius Secundus	1 November 1503 – 21 February 1513	Albisola, República de Génova	9 years, 112 days
217		Leo X LEO DecimusLeo Decimus	9 March 1513 – 1 December 1521	Florença, República de Florença	8 years, 267 days
218		Adrian VIHadrianus Sextus	9 January 1522 – 14 September 1523	Utrecht, Sacro Roman Empire	1 year, 248 days
219		Clement VIIClemens Septimus	19 November 1523 – 25 September 1534	Florença, República de Florença	10 years, 310 days
220		Paul IIIPaulus Tertius	13 October 1534 – 10 November 1549	Canino, Estados Papais	15 years, 28 days
221		Julius IIIIulius Tertius	7 February 1550 – 23 March 1555	Rome, Estados Papais	5 years, 44 days
222		Marcellus IIMarcellus Secundus	9 April 1555 – 1 May 1555	Montefano, Estados Papais	22 days
223		Paul IVPaulus Quartus	23 May 1555 – 18 August 1559	Capriglia Irpina, Reino de Nápoles	4 years, 87 days
224		Pius IVPius Quartus	26 December 1559 – 9 December 1565	Milão, Ducado de Milão	5 years, 348 days
225		St. Pius VPius Quintus	7 January 1566 – 1 May 1572	Bosco, Ducado de Milão	6 years, 115 days
226		Gregory XIIIGregorius Decimus Tertius	13 May 1572 – 10 April 1585	Bolonha, Estados Papais	12 years, 332 days
227		Sixtus VXystus Quintus	24 April 1585 – 27 August 1590	Grottammare, Estados Papais	5 years, 125 days
228		Urban VIIUrbanus Septimus	15 September 1590 – 27 September 1590	Rome, Estados Papais	12 days
229		Gregory XIVGregorius Decimus Quartus	5 December 1590 – 16 October 1591	Somma Lombardo, Ducado de Milão	315 days
230		Innocent IXInnocentius Nonus	29 October 1591 – 30 December 1591	Bolonha, Estados Papais	62 days
231		Clement VIIIClemens Octavus	30 January 1592 – 3 March 1605	Fano, Estados Papais	13 years, 32 days
232		Leo XI LEO UndecimusLeo Undecimus	1 April 1605 – 27 April 1605	Florença, República de Florença	26 days
233		Paul VPaulus Quintus	16 May 1605 – 28 January 1621	Rome, Estados Papais	15 years, 257 days
234		Gregory XVGregorius Decimus Quintus	9 February 1621 – 8 July 1623	Bolonha, Estados Papais	2 years, 149 days
235		Urban VIIIUrbanus Octavus	6 August 1623 – 29 July 1644	Florença, Grão-ducado de Toscana	20 years, 358 days
236		Innocent XInnocentius Decimus	15 September 1644 – 7 January 1655	Rome, Estados Papais	10 years, 114 days
237		Alexander VIIAlexander Septimus	7 April 1655 – 22 May 1667	Siena, Grão-ducado de Toscana	12 years, 45 days
238		Clement IXClemens Nonus	20 June 1667 – 9 December 1669	Pistoia, Grão-ducado de Toscana	2 years, 172 days
239		Clement XClemens Decimus	29 April 1670 – 22 July 1676	Rome, Estados Papais	6 years, 84 days
240		Bl. Innocent XIInnocentius Undecimus	21 September 1676 – 12 August 1689	Como, Ducado de Milão	12 years, 325 days
241		Alexander VIIIAlexander Octavus	6 October 1689 – 1 February 1691	Veneza, República de Veneza	1 year, 118 days
242		Innocent XIIInnocentius Duodecimus	12 July 1691 – 27 September 1700	Spinazzola, Reino de Nápoles	9 years, 77 days
243		Clement XIClemens Undecimus	23 November 1700 – 19 March 1721	Urbino, Estados Papais	20 years, 116 days
244		Innocent XIIIInnocentius Decimus Tertius	8 May 1721 – 7 March 1724	Poli, Estados Papais	2 years, 304 days
245		Servant of God Benedict XIIIBenedictus Decimus Tertius	29 May 1724 – 21 February 1730	Gravina in Puglia, Reino de Nápoles	5 years, 268 days
246		Clement XIIClemens Duodecimus	12 July 1730 – 6 February 1740	Florença, Grão-ducado de Toscana	9 years, 209 days
247		Benedict XIVBenedictus Decimus Quartus	17 August 1740 – 3 May 1758	Bolonha, Estados Papais	17 years, 259 days
248		Clement XIIIClemens Decimus Tertius	6 July 1758 – 2 February 1769	Veneza, República de Veneza	10 years, 211 days
249		Clement XIVClemens Decimus Quartus	19 May 1769 – 22 September 1774	Santarcangelo di Romagna, Estados Papais	5 years, 126 days
250		Pius VIPius Sextus	15 February 1775 – 29 August 1799	Cesena, Estados Papais	24 years, 195 days
251		Servant of God Pius VIIPius Septimus	14 March 1800 a20 August 1823	Cesena, Estados Papais	23 years, 159 days
252		Leo XII LEO DuodecimusLeo Duodecimus	28 September 1823 – 10 February 1829	Genga ou Espoleto, Estados Papais	5 years, 135 days
253		Pius VIIIPius Octavus	31 March 1829 – 30 November 1830	Cingoli, Estados Papais	1 year, 244 days
254		Gregory XVIGregorius Decimus Sextus	2 February 1831 – 1 June 1846	Belluno, República de Veneza	15 years, 119 days
255		Bl. Pius IXPius Nonus	16 June 1846 – 7 February 1878	Senigália, Estados Papais	31 years, 236 days
256		Leo XIII LEO Tertius DecimusLeo Decimus Tertius	20 February 1878 – 20 July 1903	Carpineto Romano, Império Francês	25 years, 150 days
257		St. Pius XPius Decimus	4 August 1903 – 20 August 1914	Riese, Império Austríaco	11 years, 16 days
258		Benedict XVBenedictus Decimus Quintus	3 September 1914 – 22 January 1922	Génova, Reino da Sardenha	7 years, 141 days
259		Pius XIPius Undecimus	6 February 1922 – 10 February 1939	Desio, Império Austríaco	17 years, 4 days
260		Ven. Pius XIIPius Duodecimus	2 March 1939 – 9 October 1958	Rome, Italy)	19 years, 221 days
261		St. JohnIoannes Vicesimus Tertius	28 October 1958 – 3 June 1963	Sotto il Monte, Italy)	4 years, 218 days
262		St. Paul VIPaulus Sextus	21 June 1963 – 6 August 1978	Concesio, Italy)	15 years, 46 days
263		John Paul IIoannes Paulus Primus	26 August 1978 – 28 September 1978	Forno di Canale, Italy)	33 days
264		John Paul IIIoannes Paulus Secundus	16 October 1978 – 2 April 2005	Wadowice, Poland	26 years, 168 days
265		Benedict XVIBenedictus Decimus Sextus	19 April 2005 – 28 February 2013	Marktl, Germany	7 years, 315 days
266		FrancisFranciscus	13 March 2013 – 21 April 2025	Buenos Aires, Argentina	12 years, 39 days
267		Leo XIVLeo Decimus Quartus	8 May 2025 – present	Chicago, United States	1 year, 88 days

Source: pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lista_de_papas. Images via Wikimedia Commons. Papal names and article links are in English.

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.