So, Who's the New Pope Leo XIV? A Quick Recap of the 267 Pontiffs!
A compact chronicle detailing the 267 popes in succession
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Get excited, folks! Robert Francis Prevost, hailing from the United States, has just become the 267th Pope as Leo XIV. He's the very first American – as well as the very first North American – to lead the 1.4 billion members of the Universal Church.
The One and OnlyRobert Prevost, the man of the people, has now claimed the papal throne. His chosen papal name, Leo XIV, demonstrates a nod to his predecessors while carving out a unique identity for himself.
The O.G., AKA PeterGoing way back, the Catholic Church considers the Apostle Peter, one of Jesus' disciples, to be the very first pope. He passed away in Rome around 64-67. Since then, every pope has followed suit – rightfully claiming themselves as Peter's successors.
The Youngest – and the Shortest-livedDid you know that John XII was the youngest pope ever elected? He took over the role at 18 years of age in 955 and was recalled after nearly eight years. It just goes to show that none of us can predict what the future will hold!
Over the Hill at 84 – Twice!On the other end of the spectrum, 84-year-old Coelestin III and Coelestin V were the oldest popes ever elected – in 1191 and 1294 respectively. They both made history by starting their reigns well into their golden years.
The Oldest in OfficeOut of all the popes to have graced the office, none were older than the Italian Pope Leo XIII, who passed away at 93 in 1903. Interestingly, Pope Benedict XVI, who died on New Year's Eve 2022, was a bit older, but he had already retired in 2013.
The Shortest and Longest ReignsUrban VII and John Paul I unfortunately held the offices of Pope for very short periods. Urban VII only lasted 12 days back in 1590, succumbing to malaria, while John Paul I's papacy ended just 33 days after his election in 1978. In stark contrast, Pius IX's pontificate lasted an impressive 31 years before his passing in 1878.
Three's a Crowd (Sometimes)There have been times when three popes held the office simultaneously. For example, in 1276, there were at least three popes: Gregory X, Innocent V, Hadrian V, and John XXI. However, it is important to note that Hadrian never received the papal coronation and only ruled for a matter of hours.
Unconventional Birdwatching in RomeOh, and guess who else is now known all over Rome? The seagulls! That's right – it's their famous seagulls that announced the election of Leo XIV by making a ruckus and replacing the traditional white smoke.
The Most Popular Papal NamesWhen it comes to the most popular pope names, John leads the pack by far, with 21 popes having been named John. Gregories, Benedicts, and Clements trail closely behind. But here's the catch: this list is somewhat disputed due to antipopes, unrecognized church heads, and historical inaccuracies in regards to the numbering of certain popes.
The Longest ConclaveIn case you were intrigued by historical trivia, just know that the longest conclave (the official meeting of cardinals to elect a new pope) extended for nearly three years, after the death of Pope Clement IV in November 1268. It took them till 1271 to elect Gregory X.
Note: This data has been enriched with insights into the most common papal names and the origins of some of the less well-known popes' names and reigns. Here's a quick rundown:
The 21 popes named John:1. John I (526-535)2. John II (533-535)3. John III (561-574)4. John IV (642)5. John V (685-686)6. John VI (701-705)7. John VII (705-707)8. John VIII (872-882)9. John IX (898-900)10. John X (914-928)11. John XI (931-935)12. John XII (955-963)13. John XIII (965-972)14. John XIV (983-984)15. John XV (985-996)16. John XVI (997-1001)17. John XVII (1003)18. John XVIII (1003-1009)19. John XIX (1024-1032)20. John XXIII (1958-1963)21. John Paul I & John Paul II (1978 - one was in office for only 33 days)
The top five most popular papal names, apart from John:1. Gregory: 16 popes2. Benedict: 16 popes3. Clement: 14 popes4. Innocent: 13 popes
These names tend to honor influential predecessors or reflect significant theological or political positions within the Church. The practice of choosing regnal names became customary in the tenth century and has been consistently practiced since the sixteenth century. Pope Francis, however, broke the mold by taking on a non-traditional name, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, in 2013.
- The youngest pope in history, John XII, was elected at the impressive age of 18 in 955.
- The International Catholic church has seen several popes with the name Gregories, with 16 papal leaders bearing this title.
- In contrast to the young John XII, the oldest pope to ever be elected was Coelestin III in 1191, at the age of 84.
- The Vatican has witnessed the announcement of the new pope through unconventional methods, such as seagulls making a ruckus in Rome, as recently seen with Pope Leo XIV.
- Sports enthusiasts may be interested to know that Pope Leo XIV has an American background, potentially making him a fan of NBA, NCAA-basketball, and WNBA basketball.
