List of Popes of the Roman Catholic Church definition of List of Popes of the Roman Catholic Church in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Popes of the Roman Catholic Church
In the following list, the date of election, rather than of consecration, is given. Before St. Victor I (189), dates may err by one year. Antipopes—i.e., those men whose elections have been declared uncanonical—are indicated.
St. Peter Peter, Saint, d. A.D. 64?, most prominent of the Twelve Apostles, listed first in the Gospels, and traditionally the first bishop of Rome. His original name was Simon, but Jesus gave him the nickname Cephas [Aramaic, = rock], which was translated into Greek as Petros ..... Click the link for more information. , d. 64? or 67?
St. Linus Linus, Saint (lī`nəs), d. A.D. 76?, pope (A.D. 67?–A.D. 76?), martyr, an Italian; successor of St. Peter and predecessor of St. ..... Click the link for more information. , 67?–76?
St. Cletus Cletus or Anacletus, Saint (klē`təs, ănəklē`təs), d. ..... Click the link for more information. , or Anacletus, 76?–88?
St. Clement I Clement I, Saint, or Clement of Rome (klĕm`ənt), d. A.D. 97?, pope (A.D. 88?–A.D. ..... Click the link for more information. , 88?–97?
St. Evaristus, 97?–105?
St. Alexander I, 105?–115?
St. Sixtus I, 115?–125?
St. Telesphorus, 125?–136?
St. Hyginus, 136?–140?
St. Pius I, 140?–155?
St. Anicetus, 155?–166?
St. Soter, 166?–175?
St. Eleutherius, 175?–189?
St. Victor I, 189–99
St. Zephyrinus, 199–217
St. Calixtus I Calixtus I, Callixtus I, or Callistus I, Saint ..... Click the link for more information. , 217–22
antipope: St. Hippolytus Hippolytus, Saint (hĭpŏl`ĭtəs) [Gr.,=loosed horse], d. c.236, first antipope (c.217–235), theologian, and martyr. ..... Click the link for more information. , 217–35
St. Urban I, 222–30
St. Pontian, 230–35
St. Anterus, 235–36
St. Fabian Fabian, Saint (fā`bēən), pope (236–50), a Roman; successor of St. Anterus and predecessor of St. Cornelius. ..... Click the link for more information. , 236–50
St. Cornelius Cornelius, Saint (kôrnēl`yəs), d. 253, pope (251–253); successor of St. Fabian. His rule was marked by the support of St. ..... Click the link for more information. , 251–53
antipope: Novatian, 251
St. Lucius I, 253–54
St. Stephen I, 254–57
St. Sixtus II, 257–58
St. Dionysius, 259–68
St. Felix I, 269–74
St. Eutychian, 275–83
St. Caius, 283–96
St. Marcellinus, 296–304
St. Marcellus I, c.308–309
St. Eusebius, 309–c.310
St. Miltiades, or Melchiades, 311–14
St. Sylvester I Sylvester I, Saint, pope (314–35), a Roman; successor of St. Miltiades (St. Melchiades). He was pope under the reign of Emperor Constantine I, who built for him the Lateran and other churches. St. ..... Click the link for more information. , 314–35
St. Marcus, 336
St. Julius I Julius I, Saint, pope (337–52), a Roman; successor of St. Marcus. In the controversy over Arianism , when both sides appealed to him for support, he convened a synod at Rome (340), at which were present St. ..... Click the link for more information. , 337–52
Liberius, 352–66
antipope: Felix Felix, Roman deacon, antipope (355–56). Emperor Constantius, an Arian, set him up to replace Liberius . He is wrongly known as Felix II. ..... Click the link for more information. , 355–65
St. Damasus I Damasus I, Saint (dăm`əsəs), c.305–384, pope (366–84), a Spaniard; successor of Liberius. ..... Click the link for more information. , 366–84
antipope: Ursinus, 366–67
St. Siricius, 384–99
St. Anastasius I, 399–401
St. Innocent I Innocent I, Saint, d. 417, pope (401–17), an Italian; successor of St. Anastasius I. A powerful champion of papal supremacy in the entire Church, he upheld St. John Chrysostom and condemned Pelagius. ..... Click the link for more information. , 401–17
St. Zosimus, 417–18
St. Boniface I, 418–22
antipope: Eulalius, 418–19
St. Celestine I Celestine I, Saint (sĕl`əstĭn), d. 432, pope (422–32), an Italian; successor of St. Boniface I. The opposition of St. ..... Click the link for more information. , 422–32
St. Sixtus III, 432–40
St. Leo I, 440–61
St. Hilary, 461–68
St. Simplicius, 468–83
St. Felix III (or II), 483–92
St. Gelasius I Gelasius I, Saint (jĭlā`shēəs), d. 496, pope (492–96); successor of St. Felix III (also known as Felix II). ..... Click the link for more information. , 492–96
Anastasius II, 496–98
St. Symmachus, 498–514
antipope: Lawrence, 498–505
St. Hormisdas, 514–23
St. John I, 523–26
St. Felix IV (or III) 526–30
Boniface II, 530–32
pope or antipope: Dioscurus, 530
John II, 533–35
St. Agapetus I, 535–36
St. Silverius Silverius, Saint (sĭlvēr`ēəs), d. 537, pope (536–37), an Italian; successor of St. Agapetus I. ..... Click the link for more information. , 536–37
Vigilius Vigilius (vĭjĭl`ēəs), pope (537–55), a Roman; successor of St. Silverius . ..... Click the link for more information. , 537–55
Pelagius I, 556–61
John III, 561–74
Benedict I, 575–79
Pelagius II, 579–90
St. Gregory I Gregory I, Saint (Saint Gregory the Great), c.540–604, pope (590–604), a Roman; successor of Pelagius II. A Doctor of the Church, he was distinguished for his spiritual and temporal leadership. His feast is celebrated on Mar. 12. ..... Click the link for more information. , 590–604
Sabinian, 604–6
Boniface III, 607
St. Boniface IV, 608–15
St. Deusdedit, or Adeodatus I, 615–18
Boniface V, 619–25
Honorius I Honorius I (hōnôr`ēəs), pope (625–38), an Italian; successor of Boniface V. ..... Click the link for more information. , 625–38
Severinus, 640
John IV, 640–42
Theodore I, 642–49
St. Martin I Martin I, Saint, d. 655?, pope (649–55?), an Italian, b. Todi; successor of Theodore I. On his accession he summoned a great council at the Lateran, as St. ..... Click the link for more information. , 649–55
St. Eugene I, 654–57
St. Vitalian, 657–72
Adeodatus II, 672–76
Donus, 676–78
St. Agatho, 678–81
St. Leo II, 682–83
St. Benedict II, 684–85
John V, 685–86
Conon, 686–87
antipope: Theodore, 687
antipope: Paschal, 687
St. Sergius I, 687–701
John VI, 701–5
John VII, 705–7
Sisinnius, 708
Constantine, 708–15
St. Gregory II Gregory II, Saint, d. 731, pope (715–31), a Roman; successor of Constantine. When Byzantine Emperor Leo III tried to impose iconoclasm in Italy by an imperial edict, Gregory answered that the emperor could not decide tenets of faith. ..... Click the link for more information. , 715–31
St. Gregory III, 731–41
St. Zacharias Zacharias or Zachary, Saint (zăkərī`əs, zăk`ərē) ..... Click the link for more information. , 741–52
Stephen II, 752 (never consecrated)
Stephen II Stephen II, d. 757, pope (752–57), successor of Pope St. Zacharias . When Rome was threatened by the Lombard king Aistulf, Stephen went to Gaul and appealed to Pepin the Short for help. He became the first pope to cross the Alps. ..... Click the link for more information. (or III), 752–57
St. Paul I, 757–67
antipope: Constantine, 767–69
antipope: Philip, 768
Stephen III (or IV), 768–72
Adrian I Adrian I, d. 795, pope (772–95), a Roman; successor of Stephen IV. At Adrian's urging, Charlemagne crossed the Alps and defeated the Lombard king, Desiderius , who had annexed papal territory. That defeat marked the end of the Lombard kingdom. ..... Click the link for more information. , 772–95
St. Leo III Leo III, Saint, pope (795–816), a Roman; successor of Adrian I. He was attacked about the face and eyes by members of Adrian's family, who hoped to render him unfit for the papacy. Leo recovered and fled (799) to Charlemagne's protection at Paderborn. ..... Click the link for more information. , 795–816
Stephen IV (or V), 816–17
St. Paschal I, 817–24
Eugene II, 824–27
Valentine, 827
Gregory IV, 827–44
antipope: John, 844
Sergius II, 844–47
St. Leo IV Leo IV, Saint, d. 855, pope (847–55), a Roman; successor of Sergius II. He had seen the Saracen attack on Rome (846), and to prevent its recurrence he fortified the city and its suburbs. ..... Click the link for more information. , 847–55
Benedict III, 855–58
antipope: Anastasius, 855
St. Nicholas I Nicholas I, Saint, c.825–867, pope (858–67), a Roman; successor of Benedict III. He was a vigorous and politically active pope who arbitrated both temporal and religious disputes. ..... Click the link for more information. , 858–67
Adrian II, 867–72
John VIII John VIII, d. 882, pope (872–82), a Roman; successor of Adrian II. John strenuously opposed the activities of St. Ignatius of Constantinople in Bulgaria. ..... Click the link for more information. , 872–82
Marinus I, 882–84
St. Adrian III, 884–85
Stephen V (or VI), 885–91
Formosus Formosus (fôrmō`səs), c.816–896, pope (891–96), probably a Roman; successor of Stephen VI. ..... Click the link for more information. , 891–96
Boniface VI, 896
Stephen VI (or VII), 896–97
Romanus, 897
Theodore II, 897
John IX, 898–900
Benedict IV, 900–903
Leo V, 903
antipope: Christopher, 903–4
Sergius III, 904–11
Anastasius III, 911–13
Lando, 913–14
John X, 914–28
Leo VI, 928
Stephen VII (or VIII), 928–31
John XI, 931–35
Leo VII, 936–39
Stephen VIII (or IX), 939–42
Marinus II, 942–46
Agapetus II, 946–55
John XII John XII, c.937–964, pope (955–64), a Roman (count of Tusculum) named Octavian; successor of Agapetus II and predecessor of either Leo VIII or Benedict V. His father, Alberic, secured John's election before the latter was 20 years old. ..... Click the link for more information. , 955–64
Leo VII, 963–65, or Benedict V, 964–66 (one of these was an antipope)
John XIII, 965–72
Benedict VI, 973–74
antipope: Boniface VII, 974, 984–85
Benedict VII, 974–83
John XIV, 983–84
John XV, 985–96
Gregory V, 996–99
antipope: John XVI, 997–98
Sylvester II Sylvester II, c.945–1003, pope (999–1003), a Frenchman (b. Auvergne) named Gerbert; successor of Gregory V. In his youth he studied at Muslim schools in Spain and became learned in mathematics and astronomy. ..... Click the link for more information. , 999–1003
John XVII, 1003
John XVIII, 1004–9
Sergius IV, 1009–12
Benedict VIII, 1012–24
antipope: Gregory, 1012
John XIX, 1024–32
Benedict IX, 1032–44
Sylvester III, 1045
Benedict IX, 1045
Gregory VI, 1045–46
Clement II, 1046–47
Benedict IX, 1047–48
Damasus II, 1048
St. Leo IX Leo IX, Saint, 1002–54, pope (1049–54), a German named Bruno of Toul, b. Alsace; successor of Damasus II. A relative of Holy Roman Emperor Henry III, he was educated at Toul and was made bishop there in 1027. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1049–54
Victor II, 1055–57
Stephen IX (or X), 1057–58
antipope: Benedict X, 1058–59
Nicholas II, 1058–61
Alexander II, 1061–73
antipope: Honorius II, 1061–72
St. Gregory VII Gregory VII, Saint, d. 1085, pope (1073–85), an Italian (b. near Rome) named Hildebrand (Ital. Ildebrando); successor of Alexander II. He was one of the greatest popes. Feast: May 25. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1073–85
antipope: Clement III, 1080–1100 (see Guibert of Ravenna Guibert of Ravenna (gwĭb`ərt, gēbĕr`), d. 1100, Italian churchman, antipope (1080–1100) Clement III, b. Parma. ..... Click the link for more information. )
Victor III, 1086–87
Urban II Urban II, c.1042–1099, pope (1088–99), a Frenchman named Odo (or Eudes) of Lagery; successor of Victor III. He studied at Reims and became a monk at Cluny. He went to Rome, as prior of Cluny, early in the reign of St. Gregory VII. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1088–99
Paschal II Paschal II (păs`kəl) [Lat.,=of Easter], d. 1118, pope (1099–1118), an Italian (b. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1099–1118
antipope: Theodoric, 1100
antipope: Albert, 1102
antipope: Sylvester IV, 1105–11
Gelasius II, 1118–19
antipope: Gregory VIII, 1118–21
Calixtus II Calixtus II, Callixtus II, or Callistus II, d. 1124, pope (1119–24), named Guy of Burgundy, successor of Gelasius II. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1119–24
Honorius II Honorius II, d. 1130, pope (1124–30), an Italian named Lamberto, b. Bologna; successor of Calixtus II. Before becoming pope he spent several years in Germany adjusting the quarrel over investiture between Holy Roman Emperor Henry V and the papacy. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1124–30
antipope: Celestine II, 1124
Innocent II Innocent II, d. 1143, pope (1130–43), a Roman named Gregorio Papareschi; successor of Honorius II. He was created cardinal by Paschal II. On the death of Honorius II , a faction of the cardinals elected him pope. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1130–43
antipope: Anacletus II, 1130–38
antipope: Victor IV, 1138
Celestine II, 1143–44
Lucius II, 1144–45
Eugene III Eugene III, d. 1153, pope (1145–53), a Pisan named Bernard (probably in full Bernardo dei Paganelli di Montemagno); successor of Lucius II. Before his election he was called Bernard of Pisa. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1145–53
Anastasius IV, 1153–54
Adrian IV Adrian IV, d. 1159, pope (1154–59), an Englishman (the only English pope), b. Nicholas Breakspear at Langley, near St. Albans. He was successor of Anastasius IV. At an early age he went to France. There he became an Augustinian canon and later an abbot. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1154–59
Alexander III Alexander III, d. 1181, pope (1159–81), a Sienese named Rolandus [Bandinelli?], successor of Adrian IV. He was a canonist who had studied law under Gratian and had taught at Bologna. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1159–81
antipope: Victor IV, 1159–64
antipope: Paschal III, 1164–68
antipope: Calixtus III, 1168–78
antipope: Innocent III, 1179–80
Lucius III Lucius III, d. 1185, pope (1181–85), a native of Lucca named Ubaldo Allucingoli; successor of Alexander III. He was a Cistercian with St. Bernard and was created a cardinal in 1141 by Innocent II. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1181–85
Urban III, 1185–87
Gregory VIII, 1187
Clement III, 1187–91
Celestine III, 1191–98
Innocent III Innocent III, b. 1160 or 1161, d. 1216, pope (1198–1216), an Italian, b. Anagni, named Lotario di Segni; successor of Celestine III. Innocent III was succeeded by Honorius III. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1198–1216
Honorius III Honorius III, d. 1227, pope (1216–27), a Roman named Cencio Savelli; successor of Innocent III. He was created cardinal in 1197 and was an able administrator of the papal treasury. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1216–27
Gregory IX Gregory IX, 1143?–1241, pope (1227–41), an Italian named Ugolino di Segni, b. Anagni; successor of Honorius III. As cardinal under his uncle, Innocent III, he became, at St. Francis' request, the first cardinal protector of the Franciscans. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1227–41
Celestine IV, 1241
Innocent IV Innocent IV, d. 1254, pope (1243–54), a Genoese named Sinibaldo Fieschi, a distinguished jurist who studied and later taught law at the Univ. of Bologna; successor of Celestine IV. He was of a noble family. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1243–54
Alexander IV, 1254–61
Urban IV Urban IV, d. 1264, pope (1261–64), a Frenchman (b. Troyes) named Jacques Pantaléon; successor of Alexander IV. In the pontifical service he was sent on missions into N Germany; then he was made bishop of Verdun (1253) and Latin patriarch of Jerusalem ..... Click the link for more information. ,1261–64
Clement IV Clement IV, d. 1268, pope (1265–68), a Frenchman named Guy le gros Foulques; successor of Urban IV. He was a lay adviser of King Louis IX of France, but after his wife's death he entered the church. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1265–68
Gregory X, 1271–76
Innocent V Innocent V, d. 1276, pope (1276), a Savoyard named Peter of Tarentaise; successor of Gregory X . He was a Dominican and studied at Paris under St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Albertus Magnus. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1276
Adrian V, 1276
John XXI John XXI, d. 1277, pope (1276–77), a Portuguese named Pedro Giuliano; successor of Adrian V. Known generally as Peter of Spain (Petrus Hispanus), he is the only Portuguese pope. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1276–77
Nicholas III Nicholas III, d. 1280, pope (1277–80), a Roman named Giovanni Gaetano Orsini; successor of John XXI . As a cardinal he made a great reputation in diplomacy, and he was a close confidant of popes for 30 years. He was elected pope after a six-month delay. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1277–80
Martin IV Martin IV, d. 1285, pope (1281–85), a Frenchman named Simon de Brie; successor of Nicholas III. He was chancellor under Louis IX of France and was created cardinal by Urban IV. He was thus a supporter of the Angevin dynasty in S Italy and Sicily. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1281–85
Honorius IV, 1285–87
Nicholas IV, 1288–92
St. Celestine V Celestine V, Saint, 1215–96, pope (elected July 5, resigned Dec. 13, 1294), an Italian (b. Isernia) named Pietro del Murrone; successor of Nicholas IV. Celestine's election ended a two-year deadlock among the cardinals over a successor to Nicholas IV. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1294
Boniface VIII Boniface VIII, 1235–1303, pope (1294–1303), an Italian (b. Anagni) named Benedetto Caetani; successor of St. Celestine V. As a cardinal he was independent of the factions in the papal court, and he opposed the election of Celestine. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1294–1303
Benedict XI Benedict XI, d. 1304, pope (1303–4), an Italian (b. Treviso) named Niccolo Boccasini; successor of Boniface VIII. Prior to his election he had been master general of the Dominican order. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1303–4
Clement V Clement V, 1264–1314, pope (1305–14), a Frenchman named Bertrand de Got; successor of Benedict XI. He was made archbishop of Bordeaux by Boniface VIII , who trusted him; surprisingly, he was also in some favor at the court of Philip IV , even though ..... Click the link for more information. , 1305–14
John XXII John XXII, 1244–1334, pope (1316–34), a Frenchman (b. Cahors) named Jacques Duèse; successor of Clement V. Formerly, he was often called John XXI. He reigned at Avignon. John was celebrated as a canon lawyer under Boniface VIII, whom he supported. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1316–34
antipope: Nicholas V, 1328–30 (see Rainalducci, Pietro Rainalducci or Rainallucci, Pietro ..... Click the link for more information. )
Benedict XII, 1334–42
Clement VI Clement VI, 1291–1352, pope (1342–52), a Frenchman named Pierre Roger; successor of Benedict XII. His court was at Avignon. He had been archbishop of Sens, archbishop of Rouen, and cardinal (1338). ..... Click the link for more information. , 1342–52
Innocent VI Innocent VI, d. 1362, pope (1352–62), a Frenchman named Étienne Aubert; successor of Clement VI. He was a well-known jurist and was created cardinal in 1342. He lived at Avignon. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1352–62
Urban V Urban V, 1310–70, pope (1362–70), a Provençal named Guillaume de Grimoard; successor of Innocent VI. He was a Benedictine renowned for his knowledge of canon law. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1362–70
Gregory XI, 1370–78
The Great Schism, 1378–1417
Roman Line
Urban VI Urban VI, 1318?–1389, pope (1378–89), whose election was the immediate cause of the Great Schism ; a Neapolitan named Bartolomeo Prignano; successor of Gregory XI. He was made archbishop of Acerenza (1364) and of Bari (1377). ..... Click the link for more information. , 1378–89
Boniface IX Boniface IX, c.1345–1404, pope (1389–1404), a Neapolitan named Pietro Tomacelli; successor of Urban VI. The Avignon antipopes Clement VII and Benedict XIII were his contemporaries during the Great Schism . ..... Click the link for more information. , 1389–1404
Innocent VII, 1404–6
Gregory XII, 1406–15
Avignon Line
antipope: Clement VII, 1378–94 (see Robert of Geneva Robert of Geneva, d. 1394, Genevan churchman, antipope (1378–94; see Schism, Great ) with the name Clement VII. He was archbishop of Cambrai (1368) and was created (1371) a cardinal. ..... Click the link for more information. )
antipope: Benedict XIII, 1394–1423 (see Luna, Pedro de Luna, Pedro de (pā`thrō dā l ..... Click the link for more information. )
antipope: Clement VII, 1423–29
antipope: Benedict XIV, 1425–30
Pisan Line
antipope: Alexander V, 1409–10
antipope: John XXIII, 1410–15 (see Cossa, Baldassare Cossa, Baldassare (bäldäs-sä`rā kôs`sä), c. ..... Click the link for more information. )
Martin V Martin V, 1368–1431, pope (1417–31), a Roman named Oddone Colonna; successor of Gregory XII. He was created cardinal by Innocent VII, and in the schism (see Schism, Great ) he attended and supported the decisions of the Council of Pisa (see Pisa, Council ..... Click the link for more information. , 1417–31
Eugene IV Eugene IV, 1383–1447, pope (1431–47), a Venetian named Gabriele Condulmer; successor of Martin V. He was of exemplary character and ascetic habits. Gregory XII, his uncle, made him cardinal (1408). ..... Click the link for more information. , 1431–47
antipope: Felix V, 1439–49 (see Amadeus VIII Amadeus VIII (ămədē`əs) ..... Click the link for more information. )
Nicholas V Nicholas V, 1397–1455, pope (1447–55), an Italian named Tommaso Parentucelli, b. probably Sarzana, Liguria; successor of Eugene IV. From Eugene IV he inherited the antipapal enactments of the Council of Basel (see Basel, Council of ). ..... Click the link for more information. , 1447–55
Calixtus III Calixtus III, Callixtus III, or Callistus III, 1378–1458, pope (1455–58), a Spaniard (b. Játiva) named Alonso de Borja or, in Italian, Alfonso Borgia; successor of Nicholas V. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1455–58
Pius II Pius II (pī`əs), 1405–64, pope (1458–64), an Italian named Enea Silvio de' Piccolomini (often in Latin, Aeneas Silvius), ..... Click the link for more information. , 1458–64
Paul II Paul II, 1417–71, pope (1464–71), a Venetian named Pietro Barbo; successor of Pius II. He was a nephew of Eugene IV. A Renaissance pope, he patronized printing, beautified and improved Rome, and collected antiquities. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1464–71
Sixtus IV Sixtus IV (sĭk`stəs), 1414–84, pope (1471–84), an Italian named Francesco della Rovere (b. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1471–84
Innocent VIII Innocent VIII, 1432–92, pope (1484–92), a Genoese named Giovanni Battista Cibo; successor of Sixtus IV. He was made a cardinal in 1473. His close friend, Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere (later Pope Julius II), largely directed the papal affairs. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1484–92
Alexander VI Alexander VI, 1431?–1503, pope (1492–1503), a Spaniard (b. Játiva) named Rodrigo de Borja or, in Italian, Rodrigo Borgia; successor of Innocent VIII. He took Borja as his surname from his mother's brother Alfonso, who was Pope Calixtus III. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1492–1503
Pius III, 1503
Julius II Julius II, 1443–1513, pope (1503–13), an Italian named Giuliano della Rovere, b. Savona; successor of Pius III. His uncle Sixtus IV gave him many offices and created him cardinal. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1503–13
Leo X Leo X, 1475–1521, pope (1513–21), a Florentine named Giovanni de' Medici; successor of Julius II. He was the son of Lorenzo de' Medici, was made a cardinal in his boyhood, and was head of his family before he was 30 (see Medici ). ..... Click the link for more information. , 1513–21
Adrian VI Adrian VI, 1459–1523, pope (1522–23), a Netherlander (b. Utrecht) named Adrian Florensz; successor of Leo X. He taught at Louvain and was tutor of the young prince, later Holy Roman Emperor Charles V . ..... Click the link for more information. , 1522–23
Clement VII Clement VII, c.1475–1534, pope (1523–34), a Florentine named Giulio de' Medici; successor of Adrian VI. He was the nephew of Lorenzo de' Medici and was therefore first cousin of Pope Leo X. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1523–34
Paul III Paul III, 1468–1549, pope (1534–49), a Roman named Alessandro Farnese; successor of Clement VII. He was created cardinal by Alexander VI, and his influence increased steadily. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1534–49
Julius III, 1550–55
Marcellus II, 1555
Paul IV Paul IV, 1476–1559, pope (1555–59), a Neapolitan named Gian Pietro Carafa; successor of Marcellus II. First superior of the Theatines (see Cajetan, Saint ), he was sternly ascetic. A leading reformer, he organized the Inquisition set up by Paul III. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1555–59
Pius IV Pius IV, 1499–1565, pope (1559–65), a Milanese named Giovanni Angelo de' Medici; successor of Paul IV. He was probably not related to the great Medici family. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1559–65
St. Pius V Pius V, Saint, 1504–72, pope (1566–72), an Italian named Michele Ghislieri, b. near Alessandria; successor of Pius IV. He was ordained in the Dominicans (1528) and became celebrated for his austerity. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1566–72
Gregory XIII, 1572–85
Sixtus V Sixtus V, 1521–90, pope (1585–90), an Italian (b. near Montalto) named Felice Peretti; successor of Gregory XIII. He entered the Franciscan order in early youth. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1585–90
Urban VII, 1590
Gregory XIV, 1590–91
Innocent IX, 1591
Clement VIII Clement VIII, 1536–1605, pope (1592–1605), a Florentine named Ippolito Aldobrandini; successor of Innocent IX. He reversed the policy of his predecessors by allying the Holy See with France rather than with Spain, which had assumed a dictatorial attitude ..... Click the link for more information. , 1592–1605
Leo XI, 1605
Paul V Paul V, 1552–1621, pope (1605–21), a Roman named Camillo Borghese; successor of Leo XI. He was created cardinal (1596) by Clement VIII and was renowned for his knowledge of canon law. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1605–21
Gregory XV, 1621–23
Urban VIII Urban VIII, 1568–1644, pope (1623–44), a Florentine named Maffeo Barberini; successor of Gregory XV. Throughout his pontificate the Thirty Years War raged in Germany. For various political reasons, Urban gave little help to the Catholics. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1623–44
Innocent X, 1644–55
Alexander VII, 1655–67
Clement IX, 1667–69
Clement X, 1670–76
Innocent XI, 1676–89
Alexander VIII, 1689–91
Innocent XII, 1691–1700
Clement XI Clement XI, 1649–1721, pope (1700–1721), an Italian (b. Urbino) named Giovanni Francesco Albani; successor of Innocent XII. He was known in his youth for his prodigious learning and brilliance. He became cardinal in 1690. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1700–1721
Innocent XIII, 1721–24
Benedict XIII, 1724–30
Clement XII, 1730–40
Benedict XIV Benedict XIV, 1675–1758, pope (1740–58), an Italian (b. Bologna) named Prospero Lambertini; successor of Clement XII. Long before his pontificate he was renowned for his learning and wrote a classic treatise on the subject of canonization (1734–38). ..... Click the link for more information. , 1740–58
Clement XIII, 1758–69
Clement XIV Clement XIV, 1705–74, pope (1769–74), an Italian (b. near Rimini) named Lorenzo Ganganelli; successor of Clement XIII. He was prominent for many years in pontifical affairs at Rome, and he was created cardinal in 1759. He was a Conventual Franciscan. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1769–74
Pius VI Pius VI, 1717–99, pope (1775–99), an Italian named G. Angelo Braschi, b. Cesena; successor of Clement XIV. He was created cardinal in 1774. Early in his reign he was faced with the attempts of Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II to "reform" the church by ..... Click the link for more information. , 1775–99
Pius VII Pius VII, 1740–1823, pope (1800–1823), an Italian named Barnaba Chiaramonti, b. Cesena; successor of Pius VI, who had created him cardinal in 1785. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1800–1823
Leo XII, 1823–29
Pius VIII, 1829–30
Gregory XVI, 1831–46
Pius IX Pius IX, 1792–1878, pope (1846–78), an Italian named Giovanni M. Mastai-Ferretti, b. Senigallia; successor of Gregory XVI . He was cardinal and bishop of Imola when elected pope. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1846–78
Leo XIII Leo XIII, 1810–1903, pope (1878–1903), an Italian (b. Carpineto, E of Rome) named Gioacchino Pecci; successor of Pius IX. Ordained in 1837, he earned an excellent reputation as archbishop of Perugia (1846–77), and was created cardinal in 1853. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1878–1903
St. Pius X Pius X, Saint, 1835–1914, pope (1903–14), an Italian named Giuseppe Sarto, b. near Treviso; successor of Leo XIII and predecessor of Benedict XV. Ordained in 1858, he became bishop of Mantua (1884), a cardinal (1893), and patriarch of Venice (1893). ..... Click the link for more information. , 1903–14
Benedict XV Benedict XV, 1854–1922, pope (1914–22), an Italian (b. Genoa) named Giacomo della Chiesa; successor of Pius X . He was made archbishop of Bologna in 1907 and cardinal in 1914, two months before his election as pope. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1914–22
Pius XI Pius XI, 1857–1939, pope (1922–39), an Italian named Achille Ratti, b. Desio, near Milan; successor of Benedict XV . Prepapal Career Ratti's father was a silk manufacturer. He studied in Milan and at the Gregorian Univ. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1922–39
Pius XII Pius XII, 1876–1958, pope (1939–58), an Italian named Eugenio Pacelli, b. Rome; successor of Pius XI. Ordained a priest in 1899, he entered the Vatican's secretariat of state. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1939–58
John XXIII John XXIII, 1881–1963, pope (1958–63), an Italian (b. Sotto il Monte, near Bergamo) named Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli; successor of Pius XII . He was of peasant stock. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1958–63
Paul VI Paul VI, 1897–1978, pope (1963–78), an Italian (b. Concesio, near Brescia) named Giovanni Battista Montini; successor of John XXIII. Prepapal Career The son of a prominent newspaper editor, he was ordained in 1920. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1963–78
John Paul I John Paul I, 1912–78, pope (1978), an Italian (b. Canale d'Agordo) named Albino Luciani; successor of Paul VI . Born into a poor, working-class family, he trained at local seminaries and at the Gregorian Univ. in Rome. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1978
John Paul II John Paul II, 1920–2005, pope (1978–2005), a Pole (b. Wadowice) named Karol Józef Wojtyła; successor of John Paul I . He was the first non-Italian pope elected since the Dutch Adrian VI (1522–23) and the first Polish and Slavic pope. ..... Click the link for more information. , 1978–2005
Benedict XVI Benedict XVI, 1927–, pope (2005–) and Roman Catholic theologian, a German (b. Marktl am Inn, Bavaria) named Josef (or Joseph) Alois Ratzinger; successor of John Paul II . He entered the seminary in 1939, but his training was interrupted by World War II. ..... Click the link for more information. , 2005–

List of Popes of the Roman Catholic Church

Prepapal Career

Prepapal Career