Pope | Definition, Title, List of Popes, & Facts

<!doctype html> <html lang="en" class="topic-desktop ui-ie7 ui-ie"> <head prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns# fb: https://ogp.me/ns/fb#"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130"> <link rel="preload" as="script" href="https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js" /> <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.png" /> <meta name="description" content="Pope is the title, since about the 9th century, of the bishop of Rome, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The pope is regarded as the successor of St. Peter and has supreme power of jurisdiction over the Catholic Church in matters of faith and morals, as well as in church discipline and government." /> <meta name="keywords" content="pope, encyclopedia, encyclopeadia, britannica, article" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope" /> <title>Pope | Definition, Title, List of Popes, & Facts | Britannica</title> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel"> window.$UI = {}; window.Constants = {"LICENSE_URL": "/bps/license","DEFAULT_TEST_VERSION": "A","DEFAULT_STATE": "XX","QUIZ_URL": "/quiz","SPOTLIGHT_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/spotlight","CONTENT_TYPE_TEXT": "text/plain;charset=UTF-8","TOPIC_FACTS_DATA_URL": "/facts","QUIZ_BROWSE_IMAGE_QUIZZES": "images","TOPIC_MEDIA_PATH": "/images-videos","USER_PROFILE_URL": "/user","DEBUG_URL": "/debug","ONE_GOOD_FACT_URL": "/one-good-fact","ERROR_404_URL": "/error404","PROCON_CITED_IN_THE_NEWS_URL": "/procon/ProCon-in-the-News","PROCON_URL": "/procon","TOPIC_PAGE_CONTENT_AJAX_URL": "/topic-content/page","INFINITE_SCROLL_PREFIX_URL": "/scroll","TOPIC_TOP_QUESTION_BROWSE_URL": "/questions","CC_USD": "USD","domain": "britannica.com","SURVEY_URL": "/survey","CATEGORY_BROWSE_URL": "/browse","STORY_BROWSE_URL": "/stories","COUNTRY_US": "US","OPEN_MEDIA_OVERLAY_PARAMETER": "/media","NEWSLETTER_SUBSCRIPTION_URL": "/newsletter-subscription","MAINTENANCE_ERROR_URL": "https://maintenance.eb.com","IMARS_EDITOR_ID": "12365882","PROFILE_EB_EDITOR_URL": "/editor","WEB_INF_RESOURCES_PATH": "WEB-INF/resources","AI_ABOUT_PAGE_URL": "/about-britannica-ai","TOPIC_ADDITIONAL_INFO_PATH": "/additional-info","SUDOKU_GAME_URL": "/games/sudoku","CC_INR": "INR","ARTICLE_PRINT_URL": "/print/article","FIRST_EDITION_URL": "/subscriber/firstedition","WW1_PORTAL_URL": "/discover/World-War-I","MENDEL_COOKIE": "__mendel","DEMYSTIFIED_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/demystified","LIST_BROWSE_URL": "/list/browse","PROFILE_EXPERT_URL": "/contributor","ASSEMBLY_IMAGE_URL": "/image/assembly","DAY_IN_HISTORY_URL": "/on-this-day","DEFAULT_CURRENCY": "USD","CONTENT_TYPE_XML": "text/xml;charset=UTF-8","PORTAL_FINANCE_BROWSE_URL_PREFIX": "/money/browse","MONEY_IMARS_CATEGORY": "13000","AJAX_PREFIX_URL": "/ajax","TOPIC_BROWSE_URL": "/topic-browse","MARKETING_CONTENT": "/marketing-content","ENV_RUNTIME": "runtime","GALLERY_URL": "/gallery","topicUrlClassesList": "topic|animal|art|biography|event|place|plant|science|sports|technology|procon","CONTENT_TYPE_HTML": "text/html;charset=UTF-8","ENV_LOCAL": "override","MEDIA_OVERLAY_URL": "/media-overlay","CHATBOT_PAGE_URL": "/chatbot","NEWSLETTER_PAGE_URL": "/newsletters","ENV_DEV": "development","MEDIA_URL": "/media","TOPIC_TOP_QUESTION_URL": "/question","PORTAL_FINANCE_URL_PREFIX": "/money","PODCASTS_URL": "/podcasts","STAND_ALONE_VIDEO_URL": "/video","MORE_ON_THIS_DAY_URL": "/more-on-this-day","TOPIC_QUOTES_URL": "/quotes","SEARCH_PAGE_URL": "/search","PROCON_CLASS": "PROCON","KUSTOM_MENDEL_APPLICATION_ID": "1","TOPIC_CONTENT_AJAX_URL": "/topic-content/topic","ENV_BRANCH": "branch","ERROR_URL": "/error","MAIN_VERSION": "mainVersion","DEFAULT_S3_REGION": "US_EAST_1","TOPIC_COLLECTION_URL": "/summary","LOGINBOX_URL": "/auth/loginbox","ONE_GOOD_FACT_BROWSE_URL": "/one-good-fact/all-good-facts","QUIZ_BROWSE_URL": "/quiz/browse","BIO_BROWSE_URL": "/browse/biographies","LIST_URL": "/list","TIGHTROPE_QUIZ_URL": "/quiz/tightrope","ALPHA_BROWSE_URL": "/sitemap","CONTENT_TYPE_JSON": "application/json","DICTIONARY_URL": "/dictionary","COBRAND_IMAGE_URL": "/image/cobrand","PROCON_IN_THE_NEWS_URL": "/procon/pro-and-con-issues-in-the-news","PROCON_BROWSE_URL": "/procon","QUIZ_BROWSE_VOCAB_QUIZZES": "vocabulary-quizzes","SUBMISSION_URL": "/submission","EB_LOG_OUT": "/auth2/logout","ENV_PRODUCTION": "production","EXPLORE_PORTAL_URL": "/explore","TOPIC_AJAX_URL": "/ajax/topic","TOPIC_SUMMARY_BROWSE_URL": "/summaries","WTFACT_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/wtfact","VIDEO_CHANNEL_URL": "/videos","GALLERY_BROWSE_URL": "/gallery/browse","CACHE_URL": "/cache","PROCON_ABOUT_URL": "/procon/About-ProCon","COMPANION_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/companion","MEDIA_FOLDER": "/eb-media","SHOW_ALL_CONTRIBUTORS": "/additional-info#contributors","BRITANNICA_EDITORS_ID": "4419","ENV_CACHE_DISABLED": "mendelCache","CALCULATORS_BROWSE_URL": "/calculators","STORY_URL": "/story","DEFAULT_COUNTRY": "US","NAVBAR_URL": "/ajax/navbar","EB_LOGIN_URL": "/auth/eb-login","NEW_ARTICLES_URL": "/new-articles",}; window.CDN = "https://cdn.britannica.com"; window.CAM_LOGIN_URL = "https://cam.britannica.com"; window.CAM_SIGN_UP_URL = "https://cam.britannica.com/registration" window.Mendel = { "config" : { "domain": "britannica.com", "page": "Topic", "videoPlayerId": "UyMCoK2v", "sharedUrl": "https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope", "amuselabsUrl": "https://cdn3.amuselabs.com", "resourcesPrefixUrl": "https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/[url]?v=3.130.14", "date": 20241124, "userInfo": { "type": "ANONYMOUS" ,"currency": "AUUS" ,"country": "SG" ,"state": "XX" ,"timezone": "Asia/Singapore" ,"bcomId": "2345669299126410332" ,"hasAds": true ,"testVersion": "B" ,"adsTestVersion": "B" ,"consumerId": "" ,"instId": "" ,"consumerUserName": "" ,"instUserName": "" ,"cognito": null }, "tvs":{ "r":[25,25,25,25], "a": [25,25,25,25]}, "isLoggedInAsUser": false, "isPhone": false, "isDesktop": true, "logoutUrl": "/auth2/logout", "selfServiceUrl": "https://myaccount.britannica.com", "cdnUrl": "https://cdn.britannica.com", "chatbotApi": "https://www.britannica.com/chat-api", "fetchOffset": 800, "mendelCookieName": "__mendel", "mendelCookie": {"surveyShown":false,"visitedTopicId":469994,"currentDate":20241124}, "autocompleteToSearchPage": false,"topicUrl": "https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope" ,"freeTopicReason": "PERMANENT_FREE_TOPIC" ,"topicId": 469994 ,"template": "DESKTOP" ,"type": "CORE" ,"hasToc": false ,"chatbotApi": "https://www.britannica.com/chat-api" ,"showPreview": false ,"infiniteScrollList": [{"p":1,"t":469994},{"p":29,"t":507284},{"p":5,"t":441722},{"p":1,"t":623972},{"p":2,"t":604238},{"p":1,"t":1918611},{"p":1,"t":640848},{"p":1,"t":387278},{"p":1,"t":178836},{"p":2,"t":131191}] ,"sequence": 1 ,"topics": {} }, "GA": {"leg":"B","adLeg":"B","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","articleTemplateType":"MEDIUM","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} }; </script> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="1887621861548296"/ <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@britannica" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn.britannica.com/27/60027-050-78B0CD14/order-society-pope-authority-rules-powers-puns.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Pope is the title, since about the 9th century, of the bishop of Rome, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The pope is regarded as the successor of St. Peter and has supreme power of jurisdiction over the Catholic Church in matters of faith and morals, as well as in church discipline and government."/> <meta property="og:type" content="ARTICLE"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Pope | Definition, Title, List of Popes, & Facts | Britannica"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Pope is the title, since about the 9th century, of the bishop of Rome, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The pope is regarded as the successor of St. Peter and has supreme power of jurisdiction over the Catholic Church in matters of faith and morals, as well as in church discipline and government."/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Encyclopedia Britannica" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn.britannica.com/27/60027-050-78B0CD14/order-society-pope-authority-rules-powers-puns.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" /> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="init opengraph"> Mendel.openGraph = {"type":"ARTICLE","title":"Pope | Definition, Title, List of Popes, & Facts","description":"Pope is the title, since about the 9th century, of the bishop of Rome, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The pope is regarded as the successor of St. Peter and has supreme power of jurisdiction over the Catholic Church in matters of faith and morals, as well as in church discipline and government.","imageUrl":"https://cdn.britannica.com/27/60027-050-78B0CD14/order-society-pope-authority-rules-powers-puns.jpg","imageType":"image/jpeg","pageUrl":"https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope"}</script> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/" > <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/icon?family=Material+Icons"> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/vendor-bundle.css?v=3.130.14" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/mendel-css.css?v=3.130.14" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.css?v=3.130.14" rel="stylesheet" /> <script type="text/javascript"> if (self !== top) { top.location = self.location; } // if ('scrollRestoration' in history) { history.scrollRestoration = 'manual'; } </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/at.js?v=3.130.14" async ></script> <script> dataLayer = []; </script> <script type="text/javascript">(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= '//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-5W6NC8'); </script> <meta name="last-modified" content="2024-11-07" /> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"headline":"Pope | Definition, Title, List of Popes, & Facts","image":{"url":"https://cdn.britannica.com/27/60027-050-78B0CD14/order-society-pope-authority-rules-powers-puns.jpg","@type":"ImageObject"},"author":[{"name":"The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica","url":"https://www.britannica.com/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419","@type":"Person"}],"keywords":"pope","wordcount":449,"url":"https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope","datePublished":"1998-07-20T00:00:00Z","dateModified":"2024-11-07T00:00:00Z","description":"Pope is the title, since about the 9th century, of the bishop of Rome, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The pope is regarded as the successor of St. Peter and has supreme power of jurisdiction over the Catholic Church in matters of faith and morals, as well as in church discipline and government.","publisher":{"name":"Encyclopedia Britannica","@type":"Organization","logo":{"url":"https://corporate.britannica.com/wp-content/themes/eb-corporate/_img/logo.png","@type":"ImageObject"}},"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"article"} </script></head> <body data-leg="B" class="new-topic topic-desktop first-page-true user-ANONYMOUS user-ads md-desktop leg-bb-ie">  <script>Mendel.config.adProvider='ay';</script> <script async src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js"></script> <script> window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/15510053/CMP_1x1', [1, 1], 'div-gpt-ad-1709766812090-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); </script> <script async defer src="https://launchpad-wrapper.privacymanager.io/0ccc6fe8-1870-4ad8-b47b-6d029ac116fc/launchpad-liveramp.js"></script> <script async src="https://JRyhoywLYXNLYMAhs.ay.delivery/manager/JRyhoywLYXNLYMAhs" type="text/javascript" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" ></script><div class="ie-warning d-flex align-items-center align-self-center justify-content-center site-alert bg-orange"> <div> You are using an <strong>outdated</strong> browser. Please <a class="text-white text-underscore" href="https://browsehappy.com/">upgrade your browser</a> to improve your experience and security. </div> </div> <script id="json-navbar-info" type="application/json"> {"topSectionLinks":[{"title":"Ask the Chatbot","url":"/chatbot","navbarId":"CHATBOT"},{"title":"Games & Quizzes","url":"/quiz/browse","navbarId":"QUIZZES"},{"title":"ProCon","url":"/procon","navbarId":"PROCON"},{"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society","selected":true,"navbarId":"HISTORY"},{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech","navbarId":"SCIENCE"},{"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies","navbarId":"BIOS"},{"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature","navbarId":"ANIMALS"},{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel","navbarId":"GEOGRAPHY"},{"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture","navbarId":"ART"},{"title":"Money","url":"/money","navbarId":"MONEY"},{"title":"Videos","url":"/videos","navbarId":"VIDEOS"}],"selectedSuperCategory":{"id":5,"title":"History & Society","url":"History-Society","description":"Explore history and society; accidents and disasters; the age of revolutions; the ancient world; historic dynasties; global exploration; the middle ages; the modern world; prehistory; US history; world history; wars and battles; sociology; religion and philosophy; humanities; ethics; anthropology; festivals and holidays; human rights; human migration; international relations; politics, law, and government","keywords":"accidents and disasters; the age of revolutions; the ancient world; historic dynasties; global exploration; the middle ages; the modern world; prehistory; US history; world history; wars and battles; sociology; religion and philosophy; humanities; ethics; anthropology; festivals and holidays; human rights; human migration; international relations; politics, law, and government","classId":"HISTORY","sortOrder":1},"selectedNavbarLink":{"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society","selected":true,"navbarId":"HISTORY"}} </script> <script id="json-hamburger-menu" type="application/json"> {"britannicaMenu1":[{"title":"Home","url":"/"},{"title":"ProCon","url":"/procon"},{"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society"},{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech"},{"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies"},{"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature"},{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel"},{"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture"},{"title":"Money","url":"/money"}],"britannicaMenu2":[{"title":"Games & Quizzes","url":"/quiz/browse"},{"title":"Videos","url":"/videos"},{"title":"On This Day","url":"/on-this-day"},{"title":"One Good Fact","url":"/one-good-fact"},{"title":"Dictionary","url":"/dictionary"},{"title":"New Articles","url":"/new-articles"}],"browseByCategory":[{"title":{"id":5,"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society"},"links":[{"title":"Lifestyles & Social Issues","url":"/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues"},{"title":"Philosophy & Religion","url":"/browse/Philosophy-Religion"},{"title":"Politics, Law & Government","url":"/browse/Politics-Law-Government"},{"title":"World History","url":"/browse/World-History"}]},{"title":{"id":6,"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech"},"links":[{"title":"Health & Medicine","url":"/browse/Health-Medicine"},{"title":"Science","url":"/browse/Science"},{"title":"Technology","url":"/browse/Technology"}]},{"title":{"id":3,"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies"},"links":[{"title":"Browse Biographies","url":"/browse/biographies"}]},{"title":{"id":1,"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature"},"links":[{"title":"Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates","url":"/browse/Birds-Reptiles-Vertebrates"},{"title":"Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates","url":"/browse/Bugs-Mollusks-Invertebrates"},{"title":"Environment","url":"/browse/Environment"},{"title":"Fossils & Geologic Time","url":"/browse/Fossil-Geologic-Time"},{"title":"Mammals","url":"/browse/Mammals"},{"title":"Plants","url":"/browse/Plants"}]},{"title":{"id":4,"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel"},"links":[{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/browse/Geography-Travel"}]},{"title":{"id":2,"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture"},"links":[{"title":"Entertainment & Pop Culture","url":"/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture"},{"title":"Literature","url":"/browse/Literature"},{"title":"Sports & Recreation","url":"/browse/Sports-Recreation"},{"title":"Visual Arts","url":"/browse/Visual-Arts"}]}],"browseByFeature":[{"title":"Companions","url":"/stories/companion"},{"title":"Demystified","url":"/stories/demystified"},{"title":"Image Galleries","url":"/gallery/browse"},{"title":"Lists","url":"/list/browse"},{"title":"Podcasts","url":"/podcasts"},{"title":"Spotlight","url":"/stories/spotlight"},{"title":"Summaries","url":"/summary"},{"title":"The Forum","url":"/stories/the-forum"},{"title":"Top Questions","url":"/question"},{"title":"#WTFact","url":"/stories/wtfact"}],"moreFromBritannica":[{"title":"Britannica Kids","url":"https://kids.britannica.com/","newTab":true}],"menuType":"DEFAULT"} </script> <header id="header" class="bg-navy-dark"> <div class="global-nav-top-bar"> <div class="grid gx-0 h-100 justify-content-between align-items-center container-lg mx-auto p-0 position-relative"> <div class="d-flex align-items-center"> <button class="d-flex align-items-center justify-self-start js-toggle js-toggle-hamburger btn btn-link link-white btn-sm rounded-0 p-10"> <div class="hamburger-tooltip"> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block font-24" id="nav-toggle" data-icon="menu"></em> </div> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block font-24 global-nav-search-icon" id="nav-search-icon" data-icon="search" ></em> </button> <a href="/" class="d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center ml-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png" alt="Encyclopedia Britannica" class="global-nav-logo global-nav-logo-left" /> </a> <div class="global-nav-top-search-bar global-nav-top-search-container global-nav-search-container" id="global-nav-top-search-bar"> <form method="get" action="/search" id="global-nav-search" class="md-search-form m-0 global-nav-search-bar-small"> <div class="search-box position-relative col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="global-nav-search-query">Search Britannica</label> <input name="query" id="global-nav-search-query" placeholder="Search Britannica..." class="form-control form-control-lg rounded-lg font-16 search-query pl-20 pr-70 shadow-sm" maxlength="200" autocomplete="off" aria-label="Search Britannica" /> <button class="search-reset-btn btn btn-link px-10 position-absolute top-0 h-100 d-none" type="reset"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="close"></em> </button> <button class="search-submit btn btn-link text-blue px-10 position-absolute top-0 right-0 h-100" type="submit" disabled> <span class="sr-only">Click here to search</span> <em class="material-icons search-icon" data-icon="search"></em> </button> </div> </form> </div> </div> <a href="/" class="d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png" alt="Encyclopedia Britannica" class="global-nav-center global-nav-logo non-homepage-logo" /> </a> <form method="get" action="/search" id="global-nav-search" class="md-search-form m-0 global-nav-search-bar-small global-nav-center search global-nav-center-search-container"> <div class="search-box position-relative col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="global-nav-search-query">Search Britannica</label> <input name="query" id="global-nav-search-query" placeholder="Search Britannica..." class="form-control form-control-lg rounded-lg font-16 search-query pl-20 pr-70 shadow-sm" maxlength="200" autocomplete="off" aria-label="Search Britannica" /> <button class="search-reset-btn btn btn-link px-10 position-absolute top-0 h-100 d-none" type="reset"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="close"></em> </button> <button class="search-submit btn btn-link text-blue px-10 position-absolute top-0 right-0 h-100" type="submit" disabled> <span class="sr-only">Click here to search</span> <em class="material-icons search-icon" data-icon="search"></em> </button> </div> </form> <div class="col-35 col-sm-auto text-right order-3 mr-lg-15 align-items-center d-flex justify-content-end"> <div class="d-none d-md-inline-block"> <SPAN class="marketing-HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_DESKTOP2 marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_DESKTOP2"><a href="https://subscription.britannica.com/subscribe?partnerCode=BP_Black_Friday_AUUS" class="subscribe-link btn btn-sm btn-outline-white-orange py-5 mr-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Subscribe </a></SPAN></div> <div class="d-inline-block d-md-none mr-5 mr-sm-10"> <SPAN class="marketing-HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_MOBILE marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_MOBILE"><a href="https://subscription.britannica.com/subscribe?partnerCode=BP_Black_Friday_AUUS" class="subscribe-link btn btn-xs btn-orange-dark p-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Subscribe </a></SPAN></div> <button class="js-toggle-user-dropdown js-toggle btn btn-sm btn-link link-white rounded-0 px-md-15 pl-5 pr-5"> <span class="d-none d-md-inline-block mr-5">Login</span> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block d-md-none font-16 font-sm-20" data-icon="account_circle"></em> <div class="d-none dropdown-menu-subscription-link">https://subscription.britannica.com/subscribe?partnerCode=BP_Black_Friday_AUUS</div> <em class="material-icons inactive-icon d-inline-block font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_down"></em> <em class="material-icons active-icon d-inline-block font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_up"></em> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div class="d-none hamburger-menu-subscription-link"><DIV class="marketing-HAMBURGER_MENU_CTA marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HAMBURGER_MENU_CTA"><a href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=hamburger-menu&utm_campaign=black-friday-2024" class="subscribe-link btn btn-sm btn-orange py-5" target="_blank"> Subscribe <span class="d-none d-md-inline"> Now</span> </a></DIV></div> <div id="global-nav-react"> <div class="d-none"> <ul> <li><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li><a href="/procon">ProCon</a></li> <li><a href="/History-Society">History & Society</a></li> <li><a href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a></li> <li><a href="/Biographies">Biographies</a></li> <li><a href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a></li> <li><a href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a></li> <li><a href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a></li> <li><a href="/money">Money</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/quiz/browse">Games & Quizzes</a></li> <li><a href="/videos">Videos</a></li> <li><a href="/on-this-day">On This Day</a></li> <li><a href="/one-good-fact">One Good Fact</a></li> <li><a href="/dictionary">Dictionary</a></li> <li><a href="/new-articles">New Articles</a></li> </ul> <a href="/History-Society">History & Society</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues">Lifestyles & Social Issues</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Philosophy-Religion">Philosophy & Religion</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Politics-Law-Government">Politics, Law & Government</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/World-History">World History</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Health-Medicine">Health & Medicine</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Science">Science</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Technology">Technology</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Biographies">Biographies</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/biographies">Browse Biographies</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Birds-Reptiles-Vertebrates">Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Bugs-Mollusks-Invertebrates">Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Environment">Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Fossil-Geologic-Time">Fossils & Geologic Time</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Mammals">Mammals</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Plants">Plants</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture">Entertainment & Pop Culture</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Literature">Literature</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Sports-Recreation">Sports & Recreation</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Visual-Arts">Visual Arts</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/stories/companion">Companions</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/demystified">Demystified</a></li> <li><a href="/gallery/browse">Image Galleries</a></li> <li><a href="/list/browse">Lists</a></li> <li><a href="/podcasts">Podcasts</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/spotlight">Spotlight</a></li> <li><a href="/summary">Summaries</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/the-forum">The Forum</a></li> <li><a href="/question">Top Questions</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/wtfact">#WTFact</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="https://kids.britannica.com/">Britannica Kids</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </header> <div class="bg-navy-dark"> <div class="container-lg p-0 d-flex justify-content-center global-nav-categories-bar overflow-hidden"> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 global-nav-slider category-snap-slider"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex font-14 overflow-hidden text-nowrap mx-5"> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-CHATBOT " href="/chatbot">Ask the Chatbot</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-QUIZZES " href="/quiz/browse">Games & Quizzes</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-PROCON " href="/procon">ProCon</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-HISTORY selected selected" href="/History-Society">History & Society</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-SCIENCE " href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-BIOS " href="/Biographies">Biographies</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-ANIMALS " href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-GEOGRAPHY " href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-ART " href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-MONEY " href="/money">Money</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-VIDEOS " href="/videos">Videos</a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <main> <div class="md-page-wrapper"> <div id="content" class="md-content"> <div class="md-article-container template-desktop"> <div class="infinite-scroll-container article last"> <article class="article-content container-lg qa-content px-0 pt-0 pb-40 py-lg-20 content " data-topic-id="469994"> <div class="grid gx-0"> <div class="col-auto"> <div class="topic-left-rail md-article-drawer position-relative d-flex border-right-sm border-left-sm open"> <div class="drawer d-flex flex-column open"> <div class="left-rail-section-content"> <div class="topic-left-rail-header text-truncate bg-gray-50 position-relative text-right d-flex align-items-center"> <div class="tlr-title px-20 py-15 text-left"> <em class="material-icons text-gray-400 d-lg-none" data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope">pope</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <span class="toc-extra-link selected link-gray-900 mt-15"> Introduction </span> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/pope">Related Topics</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope/images-videos">Images, Videos & Interactives</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/27/60027-050-78B0CD14/order-society-pope-authority-rules-powers-puns.jpg" data-href="/media/1/469994/70863" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/27/60027-004-22672D48/order-society-pope-authority-rules-powers-puns.jpg" alt="Catholic societal hierarchy" height="50" /> </a> <a href="" data-href="/media/1/469994/301829" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/02/256102-049-C6B86C5F/pope-francis-i-life-in-pictures.jpg" alt="Pope Francis: A Life in Pictures" height="50" /> </a> <a href="/video/did-you-know-Pope-Francis/279257" data-href="/media/1/469994/279257" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <div class="position-relative --aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/17/242017-138-6E77601C/did-you-know-Pope-Francis.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="How has Pope Francis guided the Roman Catholic Church?" class="col-100" /> <div class="btn btn-sm btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; left:50%; transform: translate(-50%, -50%)"> <em class="material-icons font-14" data-icon="play_arrow" > </em> </div> </div> </a> <a href="/video/pope-election-papal-conclave/298214" data-href="/media/1/469994/298214" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <div class="position-relative --aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/85/253585-138-D72C201D/pope-election-papal-conclave.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="How is a pope elected?" class="col-100" /> <div class="btn btn-sm btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; left:50%; transform: translate(-50%, -50%)"> <em class="material-icons font-14" data-icon="play_arrow" > </em> </div> </div> </a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-related-quizzes"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> Quizzes </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/quiz/christianity-quiz"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/67/160167-131-98582C51/Easter-Valladolid-Procession-cross-Nazarenos-Spain-Semana.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Holy week. Easter. Valladolid. Procession of Nazarenos carry a cross during the Semana Santa (Holy week before Easter) in Valladolid, Spain. Good Friday" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/quiz/christianity-quiz" >Christianity Quiz</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/quiz/pope-quiz"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/125978-131-82229469/Anastasius-II-illustration-1754.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Anastasius II (died 498) pope from 496 after a 16th century illustration" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/quiz/pope-quiz" >Pope Quiz</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/quiz/popes-and-antipopes"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/134784-131-01288963/Gregory-I-copperplate-engraving.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Saint Gregory I or Gregory the Great (c. 540-604), pope from 590 to 604. Undated copperplate engraving by Adrian Collaert (c.1520-67)." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/quiz/popes-and-antipopes" >Popes and Antipopes</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-related-questions"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 pb-0 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-15"> Related Questions </div> <ul> <li class="link-gray-900 mb-15"><a class="" href="/question/Who-was-St-Peter">Who was St. Peter?</a> </li> <li class="link-gray-900 mb-15"><a class="" href="/question/How-did-St-Peter-die">How did St. Peter die?</a> </li> <li class="link-gray-900 mb-15"><a class="" href="/question/What-is-St-Peter-the-patron-saint-of">What is St. Peter the patron saint of?</a> </li> <li class="link-gray-900 mb-15"><a class="" href="/question/What-were-St-John-Paul-IIs-accomplishments">What were St. John Paul II’s accomplishments?</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-read-next"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> Read Next </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/timeline-of-the-2000s"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/55/182155-050-30F55CFC/fire-US-Marines-Fallujah-Iraq-Second-Battle-November-2004.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="US Marines firing at Fallujah, Iraq, during the Second Battle of Fallujah in November 2004. Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq War." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/timeline-of-the-2000s" >Timeline of the 2000s</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/timeline-of-the-1970s"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/42/245842-131-8BE1496A/Richard-M-Nixon-boards-resignation-helicopter-White-August-9-1974.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="President Richard M. Nixon smiles and gives the victory sign as he boards the White House helicopter after his resignation on August 9, 1974 in Washington, D.C." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/timeline-of-the-1970s" >Timeline of the 1970s</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-discover"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> Discover </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/americas-5-most-notorious-cold-cases-including-one-you-may-have-thought-was-already-solved"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/196471-131-8FEA8DDD/Daily-Police-Bulletin-Elizabeth-Short-Black-Dahlia-January-1947.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Los Angeles Police Department wanted flyer on Elizabeth Short, aka the "Black Dahlia," who was brutally murdered in January 1947. The FBI supported the Los Angeles Police Department in the case, including by identifying Short through her fingerprints that" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/americas-5-most-notorious-cold-cases-including-one-you-may-have-thought-was-already-solved" >America’s 5 Most Notorious Cold Cases (Including One You May Have Thought Was Already Solved)</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/52/196952-131-0665E4EE/Egyptians-hieroglyphics-carvings.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="An ancient egyptian hieroglyphic painted carving showing the falcon headed god Horus seated on a throne and holding a golden fly whisk. Before him are the Pharoah Seti and the goddess Isis. Interior wall of the temple to Osiris at Abydos, Egypt." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses" >11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/9-things-you-might-not-know-about-adolf-hitler"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/58/156058-131-22083D0A/Adolf-Hitler.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Adolf Hitler (Nazi, nazism, German leader)." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/9-things-you-might-not-know-about-adolf-hitler" >9 Things You Might Not Know About Adolf Hitler</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/7-of-historys-most-notorious-serial-killers"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/51/212551-131-CCA62CB1/Shadow-man-spooky-building-knife.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Shadow of a man holding large knife in his hand inside of some dark, spooky buiding" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/7-of-historys-most-notorious-serial-killers" >7 of History's Most Notorious Serial Killers</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/10-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/146135-131-BC5E7D00/Baseball-grass-arts-Homepage-blog-entertainment-sports-2010.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Baseball laying in the grass. Homepage blog 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society, sports and games athletics" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/10-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" >10 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/inventors-and-inventions-of-the-industrial-revolution"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/34/193634-131-F5FF783D/factories-Industrial-Revolution-workers-house-machines.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="A Factory Interior, watercolor, pen and gray ink, graphite, and white goache on wove paper by unknown artist, c. 1871-91; in the Yale Center for British Art. Industrial Revolution England" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/inventors-and-inventions-of-the-industrial-revolution" >Inventors and Inventions of the Industrial Revolution</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/secret-service-code-names-of-11-us-presidents"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/45/189145-131-45FF672E/Secret-Service-Agent-Earpiece.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Secret Service Agent Listens To Earpiece" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/secret-service-code-names-of-11-us-presidents" >Secret Service Code Names of 11 U.S. Presidents</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <button class="drawerToggle btn position-sticky border btn-xs btn-white btn-circle rounded-sm d-none d-lg-flex " type="button" aria-label="Toggle Drawer"> <em class="material-icons font-18 text-blue" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="h-100 ml-0 pr-lg-0 "> <div class="h-100 grid gx-0 gx-lg-20"> <div class="h-100 col-sm"> <div class="h-100 infinite-pagination-container d-flex flex-column position-relative"> <div class="position-absolute top-0 h-100 w-100"> <div class="toc-sticky-header d-none d-lg-none bg-gray-50 px-10 px-sm-30 position-sticky w-100 "> <div class="toc-sticky-header-inner-container align-items-center d-flex mx-auto h-100 w-100"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-sm btn-white text-blue border-2 border-gray-100 gtm-mobile-toc-header-button js-sections-button d-lg-none p-10"> <em class="material-icons my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Contents </button> <div class="header-ai-ask-button-placeholder"></div> <div class="header-ai-summarize-button-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="grey-box w-100 grey-box-top grey-box-bottom"> <div class="grey-box-content mx-auto w-100"> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "position" : 1, "item" : { "@id" : "https://www.britannica.com/browse/Philosophy-Religion", "name": "Philosophy & Religion" } } , { "@type" : "ListItem", "position" : 2, "item" : { "@id" : "https://www.britannica.com/browse/Religious-Beliefs", "name": "Religious Beliefs" } } ] } </script> <nav class="breadcrumb mt-20"> <span class="breadcrumb-item "> <a class="link-gray-600" href="/browse/Philosophy-Religion">Philosophy & Religion</a> </span> <span class="breadcrumb-item "> <a class="link-gray-600" href="/browse/Religious-Beliefs">Religious Beliefs</a> </span> </nav> <div class="page2ref-true topic-content topic-type-REGULAR" data-student-article="false"> <script class="page-description-json" type="application/json"> { "url": "/topic/pope", "shareUrl": "https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope", "browserTitle": "Pope | Definition, Title, List of Popes, & Facts", "firstTopicPage": true, "topicId":469994 } </script> <div class="reading-channel"> <div class="desktop-header-image module-spacing"> <figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-20 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="13684" data-asm-type="image"> <div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"> <a style="min-height: 160px;" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/27/60027-050-78B0CD14/order-society-pope-authority-rules-powers-puns.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/469994/70863"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/27/60027-050-78B0CD14/order-society-pope-authority-rules-powers-puns.jpg?w=300"> <img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/27/60027-050-78B0CD14/order-society-pope-authority-rules-powers-puns.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop" alt="Catholic societal hierarchy" loading="eager" /> </picture> <button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"> <em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </button> </a> </div> <figcaption class="card-body"> <div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"> <span> <a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/27/60027-050-78B0CD14/order-society-pope-authority-rules-powers-puns.jpg" data-href="/media/1/469994/70863">Catholic societal hierarchy</a> <span><span>The hierarchical order of society. The pope enthroned as the supreme authority rules over the worldly powers and the laity (on his left) and the clergy and the religious (on his right). The white and black hounds are visual puns on Dominicans—<em>Dominus canes</em> (“hounds of the Lord”). Detail of <em>The Church Militant and Triumphant</em>, fresco by Andrea da Firenze, c. 1365; in the Spanish Chapel of the church of Santa Maria Novella, Florence.</span></span> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <span class="link-blue">(more)</span> </button> </span> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div><div class="topic-header"> <div class="d-flex align-items-top justify-content-between"> <div class="d-flex flex-column"> <div> <div> <h1>pope</h1></div> </div> <div class="topic-identifier font-16 font-md-20">Roman Catholicism</div> </div> </div> <div class="d-none d-sm-flex flex-row"> <div class="mr-10 mb-15"> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="d-none d-sm-block md-topic-tools qa-action-buttons mb-15" data-topic-id="469994"> <button class="js-tooltip btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border pr-10 border-2" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="more_vert"></em> More Actions </button> <div class="md-more-popover popover popover-sm p-0 font-14 z-1"> <div> <a class="js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" href="/print/article/469994" target="_blank" > <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="print"></em> Print </a> </div> <div> <button class="js-modal qa-cite-modal-button btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=469994] .md-cite-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="verified"></em> Cite </button> <div class="md-cite-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom mb-15"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10">verified</em>Cite </div> <div class="font-serif"> While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. </div> <div class="label mt-20 mb-10">Select Citation Style</div> <select class="js-citation-format-select form-select"> <option selected value="mla">MLA</option> <option value="apa">APA</option> <option value="chicago">Chicago Manual of Style</option> </select> <div class="citation font-serif border rounded p-15 mt-20" data-authors="The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica" data-title="pope" data-published-date="7 Nov. 2024" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope" > <div class="citation-text"></div> </div> <button class="js-copy-citation-button mt-20 btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="file_copy"></em> <span class="js-citation-status-text">Copy Citation</span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-share-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=469994] .md-share-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="share"></em> Share </button> <div class="md-share-modal size-lg d-none qa-share-modal"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10" data-icon="share"></em> Share </div> <div class="label my-20">Share to social media</div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle d-flex align-items-start inverted" data-value="share" title="pope" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope" > <a class="social-icon facebook justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="social-icon x justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="x" href="https://x.com/britannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>X</span></a> </div> <div class="label pt-20 mt-20 mb-5 border-top">URL</div> <a class="font-serif text-truncate d-inline-block" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope">https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope</a> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-feedback-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal=".md-feedback-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="message"></em> Feedback </button> </div> <div> <button class="qa-external-website-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=469994] .md-websites-modal"> <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 mr-5" data-icon="link"></em> External Websites </button> </div> </div> <div class="md-feedback-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom"> Feedback </div> <form method="post" action="/submission/feedback/469994"> <div class="my-20"> Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). </div> <div class="type-menu"> <label for="feedback-type" class="label mb-10">Feedback Type</label> <select id="feedback-type" class="form-select mb-30" name="feedbackTypeId" required> <option value="" selected="selected">Select a type (Required)</option> <option value="1">Factual Correction</option> <option value="2">Spelling/Grammar Correction</option> <option value="3">Link Correction</option> <option value="4">Additional Information</option> <option value="5">Other</option> </select> </div> <label for="feedback" class="label mb-10">Your Feedback</label> <textarea id="feedback" class="form-control mb-30" name="feedback" maxlength="3000" rows="7" required></textarea> <button class="btn btn-blue" type="submit">Submit Feedback</button> </form> <div class="success-messaging d-none mt-30"> <div class="title">Thank you for your feedback</div> <p>Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-websites-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom font-weight-bold"> External Websites </div> <div class="pb-20"> <ul class="list-unstyled mt-20 lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.biblicalcyclopedia.com/P/pope.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Biblical Cyclopedia - Pope</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.christianity.com/church/what-is-the-significance-of-the-pope-in-catholicism.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Christianity.com - What is the Significance of the Pope in Catholicism?</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="toc-header-marker"></div> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 js-header-ai-ask-button d-none btn-sm btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 mr-0 mr-lg-10 ml-5 ml-sm-10 ml-lg-0 p-10"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> <div class="md-byline module-spacing "> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written and fact-checked by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2024-11-07T00:00:00CST" >Nov 7, 2024</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Related Topics: </dt> <dd><a href="/topic/papacy" topicid="441722">papacy</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/popes-and-antipopes" topicid="2239416">popes and antipopes</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/allocution-papacy" topicid="2078797">allocution</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/pope"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="bg-gray-50 p-15 rounded module-spacing recent-news d-flex flex-column float-false"> <div> <h2 class="font-weight-bold font-14 m-0 d-inline"> News <span class="text-gray-600">•</span> </h2> <div class="recent-news-item first-recent-news-item d-inline"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/469994/e42784b6c180611d78d821c9e909a76b" rel="nofollow">Fans flood @Pontifex account after it inadvertently cites New Orleans Saints amid dreadful season</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 7, 2024, 9:11 PM ET (AP) </span> </div> </div> <div class="rest-of-recent-news-items"> <button class="js-toggle-recent-news d-flex btn btn-unstyled font-14 pr-10 rounded-sm mt-10" aria-label="Toggle additional news items"> Show less <em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_less"></em> </button> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref73204"></span>pope</strong>, (<a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Latin-language" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Latin</a> <em>papa</em>, from <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Greek-language" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Greek</a> <em>pappas</em>, “father”), the title, since about the 9th century, of the bishop of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Rome" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Rome</a>, the leader of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Roman-Catholicism" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Roman Catholic Church</a>. It was formerly given, especially from the 3rd to the 5th century, to any <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/bishop-Christianity" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">bishop</a> and sometimes to simple priests as an <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="ecclesiastical" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecclesiastical" data-type="MW">ecclesiastical</a> title expressing affectionate respect. In <span id="ref73205"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Eastern-Orthodoxy" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Eastern Orthodox</a> churches, it is still used for the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/patriarch-Eastern-Orthodoxy" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">patriarch</a> of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Alexandria-Egypt" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Alexandria</a> and for Orthodox priests. (<em>See also</em> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/papacy" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">papacy</a>.)</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The <em><span id="ref73206"></span>Annuario Pontificio</em>, the official directory of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Holy-See" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Holy See</a>, describes the office of the pope by the following titles: Bishop of Rome, Vicar of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jesus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Jesus Christ</a>, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Patriarch of the West, Primate of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Italy" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Italy</a>, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Province of Rome, <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="Sovereign" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Sovereign" data-type="MW">Sovereign</a> of the State of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Vatican-City" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Vatican City</a>, Servant of the Servants of God. The title <em>pope</em> or <em>papa</em> (abbreviated PP.) is officially used only as a less solemn style.</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><div class="mb-20"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="301829" data-asm-type="infogram"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="infogram"><script id="infogram_0__/Va6CaeM7oBkelUOI2QyR" src="https://e.infogram.com/js/dist/embed.js?Itp" type="text/javascript" title="Pope Francis: A Life in Pictures"></script></div></figure></div></div><span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Doctrinally, in Catholic churches, the pope is regarded as the successor of <span id="ref840796"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Peter-the-Apostle" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">St. Peter</a>, who was head of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Apostle" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Apostles</a>. The pope, as bishop of Rome, is thus seen to have full and supreme power of jurisdiction over the universal church in matters of faith and <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="morals" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morals" data-type="MW">morals</a>, as well as in church <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="discipline" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discipline" data-type="MW">discipline</a> and government. The twofold basis of this doctrine of <span id="ref73207"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/papal-primacy" class="md-crosslink ">papal primacy</a> is the place of St. <span id="ref73208"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Petrine-theory" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Peter</a> in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/New-Testament" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">New Testament</a> (in which there are various <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="metaphors" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metaphors" data-type="MW">metaphors</a> expressing his prerogatives) and the place of the Roman church in history. The understanding of papal primacy developed as the church developed, two notable factors being the role of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Rome" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Rome</a> as the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/imperial-city-Holy-Roman-Empire" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">imperial city</a> until the 5th century and the religious and political role of the bishop of Rome afterward.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/popes-and-antipopes" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/134784-131-01288963/Gregory-I-copperplate-engraving.jpg" alt="Saint Gregory I or Gregory the Great (c. 540-604), pope from 590 to 604. Undated copperplate engraving by Adrian Collaert (c.1520-67)." class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">Popes and Antipopes</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies multiple medialist slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100" data-type="other"><div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex"><div class="rw-track d-flex align-items-center"><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="279257" data-asm-type="video"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="video" video-id="242017"><a data-id="242017" class="gtm-assembly-link d-flex justify-content-center" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9" href="/video/did-you-know-Pope-Francis/-279257"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/17/242017-138-6E77601C/did-you-know-Pope-Francis.jpg?w=800&h=450&c=crop" alt="How has Pope Francis guided the Roman Catholic Church?" loading="lazy"><script type="application/json"> { "sources": [ { "file" : "//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/aAgc5uNu.m3u8" } ], "image": "https://cdn.britannica.com/17/242017-138-6E77601C/did-you-know-Pope-Francis.jpg" ,"tracks": [ { "file" : "//assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/tracks/XawxVIQY", "label": "English" } ] ,"adfile": "//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/yWEgtRMx.m3u8" } </script><div class="btn btn-xl btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%)"><em class="material-icons" data-icon="play_arrow"></em></div><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">1 of 2</div></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><span class="md-assembly-title font-weight-bold mr-5 d-inline font-sans-serif md-video-caption" video-control="242017">How has Pope Francis guided the Roman Catholic Church?</span><span>Learn about the worldwide impact of Pope Francis.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div><a class="font-14 mt-10 d-inline-block" href="/topic/pope/images-videos">See all videos for this article</a></figcaption></figure></div><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="298214" data-asm-type="video"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="video" video-id="253585"><a data-id="253585" class="gtm-assembly-link d-flex justify-content-center" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9" href="/video/pope-election-papal-conclave/-298214"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/85/253585-138-D72C201D/pope-election-papal-conclave.jpg?w=800&h=450&c=crop" alt="How is a pope elected?" loading="lazy"><script type="application/json"> { "sources": [ { "file" : "//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/EJYSD1NJ.m3u8" } ], "image": "https://cdn.britannica.com/85/253585-138-D72C201D/pope-election-papal-conclave.jpg" ,"tracks": [ { "file" : "//assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/tracks/R4qbvBGW.vtt", "label": "English" } ] ,"adfile": "//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/PEvRJuFP.m3u8" } </script><div class="btn btn-xl btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%)"><em class="material-icons" data-icon="play_arrow"></em></div><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">2 of 2</div></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><span class="md-assembly-title font-weight-bold mr-5 d-inline font-sans-serif md-video-caption" video-control="253585">How is a pope elected?</span><span>Popes are elected for life. How do they get the job?</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div><a class="font-14 mt-10 d-inline-block" href="/topic/pope/images-videos">See all videos for this article</a></figcaption></figure></div></div></div><button disabled="true" class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span></button><button disabled="true" class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span></button></div><p class="topic-paragraph">The pope, as the bishop of Rome, is the head of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Holy-See" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Holy See</a>, the Roman Catholic Church’s central government, which in turn is assisted by the various departments of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Roman-Curia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Roman Curia</a>. He thus makes decisions on issues of faith and <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="morality" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morality" data-type="MW">morality</a> for Catholics throughout the world, a population of about 1.3 billion. The teaching of the <span id="ref73209"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Second-Vatican-Council" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Second Vatican Council</a> (1962–65) on the role of bishops counterbalanced the emphasis on papal <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="prerogatives" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prerogatives" data-type="MW">prerogatives</a> while maintaining the view that the authority of the bishops as a body cannot be separated from that of the pope as its head. Although the Eastern Orthodox have long been willing to give the bishop of Rome the primacy of honor accorded to patriarchs, and although many <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Protestantism" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Protestants</a> have appreciated the <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="moral" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moral" data-type="MW">moral</a> leadership shown by some recent popes, the Catholic doctrine of papal primacy was still a major obstacle to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/ecumenism" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">ecumenical</a> efforts that began in the 20th century.</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><span id="ref3793"></span>A list of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/popes-and-antipopes" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">popes and antipopes</a> is provided in the table.</p><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span><span class="md-raw-html"><div class="md-drag md-table-wrapper"><table> <thead> <tr> <th colspan="2" scope="col"> Popes and antipopes<sup>1</sup> </th> </tr> </thead> <tfoot> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <sup>1</sup>Antipopes are in italics. Until the 4th century the popes were usually known only as bishops of Rome. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <sup>2</sup>The higher number is used if Felix (II), who reigned from 355 to 358 and is ordinarily classed as an antipope, is counted as a pope. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <sup>3</sup>Though elected on March 23, 752, Stephen (II) died two days later, before he could be consecrated, and thus is ordinarily not counted. The issue has made the numbering of subsequent Stephens somewhat irregular. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <sup>4</sup>Either Leo VIII or Benedict V may be considered an antipope. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <sup>5</sup>A confusion in the numbering of popes named John after John XIV (reigned 983–984) resulted because some 11th-century historians mistakenly believed that there had been a pope named John between antipope Boniface VII and the true John XV (reigned 985–996). Therefore they mistakenly numbered the real popes John XV to XIX as John XVI to XX. These popes have since customarily been renumbered XV to XIX, but John XXI and John XXII continue to bear numbers that they themselves formally adopted on the assumption that there had indeed been 20 Johns before them. In current numbering there thus exists no pope by the name of John XX. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <sup>6</sup>Sylvester III is considered an antipope by those who believe that Benedict IX's forcible removal in 1044 was illegitimate. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <sup>7</sup>In the 13th century the papal chancery misread the names of the two popes Marinus as Martin, and, as a result of this error, Simon de Brie in 1281 assumed the name of Pope Martin IV instead of Martin II. The enumeration has not been corrected, and thus there exist no Martin II and Martin III. </td> </tr> </tfoot> <tbody> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Peter-the-Apostle" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Peter</a> </td> <td> ?-c. 64 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/St-Linus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Linus</a> </td> <td> c. 67–76/79 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Anacletus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Anacletus</a> </td> <td> 76–88 or 79–91 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Clement-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Clement I</a> </td> <td> 88–97 or 92–101 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/St-Evaristus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Evaristus</a> </td> <td> c. 97–c. 107 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Alexander-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Alexander I</a> </td> <td> 105–115 or 109–119 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Sixtus-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sixtus I</a> </td> <td> c. 115–c. 125 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/St-Telesphorus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Telesphorus</a> </td> <td> c. 125–c. 136 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Hyginus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Hyginus</a> </td> <td> c. 136–c. 140 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Pius-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pius I</a> </td> <td> c. 142–c. 155 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Anicetus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Anicetus</a> </td> <td> c. 155–c. 166 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/St-Soter" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Soter</a> </td> <td> c. 166–c. 175 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Eleutherius" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Eleutherius</a> </td> <td> c. 175–189 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/St-Victor-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Victor I</a> </td> <td> c. 189–198/199 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Zephyrinus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Zephyrinus</a> </td> <td> c. 199–217 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Callixtus-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Calixtus I</a> (Callistus) </td> <td> 217?–222 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Hippolytus-of-Rome" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Hippolytus</em></a> </td> <td> <em>217/218–235</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Urban-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Urban I</a> </td> <td> 222–230 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Pontian" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pontian</a> </td> <td> 230–235 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Anterus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Anterus</a> </td> <td> 235–236 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/St-Fabian" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Fabian</a> </td> <td> 236–250 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Cornelius" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Cornelius</a> </td> <td> 251–253 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Novatian" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Novatian</em></a> </td> <td> <em>251</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/St-Lucius-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Lucius I</a> </td> <td> 253–254 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/St-Stephen-I-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Stephen I</a> </td> <td> 254–257 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Sixtus-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sixtus II</a> </td> <td> 257–258 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Dionysius" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Dionysius</a> </td> <td> 259/260–268 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Felix-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Felix I</a> </td> <td> 269–274 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Eutychian" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Eutychian</a> </td> <td> 275–283 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Gaius" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gaius</a> </td> <td> 283–296 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Marcellinus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Marcellinus</a> </td> <td> 291/296–304 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Marcellus-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Marcellus I</a> </td> <td> 306–308 or 308–309 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Eusebius" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Eusebius</a> </td> <td> 309/310 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Miltiades" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Miltiades</a> (Melchiades) </td> <td> 311–314 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Sylvester-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sylvester I</a> </td> <td> 314–335 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Mark-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Mark</a> </td> <td> 336 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Julius-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Julius I</a> </td> <td> 337–352 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Liberius" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Liberius</a> </td> <td> 352–366 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Felix-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Felix (II)</em></a> </td> <td> <em>355</em><em>–365</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Damasus-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Damasus I</a> </td> <td> 366–384 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ursinus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Ursinus</em></a> </td> <td> <em>366</em><em>–367</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Siricius" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Siricius</a> </td> <td> 384–399 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Anastasius-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Anastasius I</a> </td> <td> 399–401 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Innocent-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Innocent I</a> </td> <td> 401–417 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Zosimus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Zosimus</a> </td> <td> 417–418 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Boniface-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Boniface I</a> </td> <td> 418–422 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eulalius" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Eulalius</em></a> </td> <td> <em>418</em><em>–419</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Celestine-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Celestine I</a> </td> <td> 422–432 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Sixtus-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sixtus III</a> </td> <td> 432–440 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Leo-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Leo I</a> </td> <td> 440–461 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Hilary" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Hilary</a> </td> <td> 461–468 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Simplicius" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Simplicius</a> </td> <td> 468–483 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Felix-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Felix III (or II)</a><sup>2</sup> </td> <td> 483–492 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Gelasius-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gelasius I</a> </td> <td> 492–496 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anastasius-II-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Anastasius II</a> </td> <td> 496–498 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Symmachus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Symmachus</a> </td> <td> 498–514 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Laurentius" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Laurentius</em></a> </td> <td> <em>498, 501– c. 505/507</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Hormisdas" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Hormisdas</a> </td> <td> 514–523 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-John-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John I</a> </td> <td> 523–526 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Felix-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Felix IV (or III)</a><sup>2</sup> </td> <td> 526–530 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dioscorus-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Dioscorus</em></a> </td> <td> <em>530</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Boniface-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Boniface II</a> </td> <td> 530–532 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-II-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John II</a> </td> <td> 533–535 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Agapetus-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Agapetus I</a> </td> <td> 535–536 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Silverius" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Silverius</a> </td> <td> 536–537 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vigilius" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Vigilius</a> </td> <td> 537–555 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pelagius-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pelagius I</a> </td> <td> 556–561 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-III-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John III</a> </td> <td> 561–574 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict I</a> </td> <td> 575–579 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pelagius-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pelagius II</a> </td> <td> 579–590 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/St-Gregory-the-Great" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gregory I</a> </td> <td> 590–604 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sabinian" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sabinian</a> </td> <td> 604–606 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Boniface-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Boniface III</a> </td> <td> 607 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Boniface-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Boniface IV</a> </td> <td> 608–615 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Deusdedit" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Deusdedit</a> (also called Adeodatus I) </td> <td> 615–618 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Boniface-V" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Boniface V</a> </td> <td> 619–625 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Honorius-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Honorius I</a> </td> <td> 625–638 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Severinus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Severinus</a> </td> <td> 640 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-IV-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John IV</a> </td> <td> 640–642 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Theodore-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Theodore I</a> </td> <td> 642–649 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Martin-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Martin I</a> </td> <td> 649–653 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Eugenius-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Eugenius I</a> </td> <td> 654–657 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Vitalian" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Vitalian</a> </td> <td> 657–672 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Adeodatus-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Adeodatus II</a> </td> <td> 672–676 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Donus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Donus</a> </td> <td> 676–678 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Agatho" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Agatho</a> </td> <td> 678–681 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Leo-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Leo II</a> </td> <td> 682–683 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Benedict-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict II</a> </td> <td> 684–685 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-V-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John V</a> </td> <td> 685–686 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Conon-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Conon</a> </td> <td> 686–687 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Sergius-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sergius I</a> </td> <td> 687–701 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Theodore-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Theodore</em></a> </td> <td> <em>687</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Paschal-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Paschal</em></a> </td> <td> <em>687</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-VI-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John VI</a> </td> <td> 701–705 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-VII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John VII</a> </td> <td> 705–707 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sisinnius" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sisinnius</a> </td> <td> 708 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Constantine-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Constantine</a> </td> <td> 708–715 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Gregory-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gregory II</a> </td> <td> 715–731 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Gregory-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gregory III</a> </td> <td> 731–741 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Zacharias" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Zacharias</a> (Zachary) </td> <td> 741–752 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-II-unconsecrated-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Stephen (II)</a><sup>3</sup> </td> <td> 752 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-II-or-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Stephen II (or III)</a><sup>3</sup> </td> <td> 752–757 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Paul-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Paul I</a> </td> <td> 757–767 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Constantine-II-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Constantine(II)</em></a> </td> <td> <em>767</em><em>–768</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Philip-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Philip</em></a> </td> <td> <em>768</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-III-or-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Stephen III (or IV)</a><sup>3</sup> </td> <td> 768–772 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Adrian-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Adrian I</a> </td> <td> 772–795 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Leo-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Leo III</a> </td> <td> 795–816 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-IV-or-V" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Stephen IV (or V)</a><sup>3</sup> </td> <td> 816–817 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Paschal-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Paschal I</a> </td> <td> 817–824 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eugenius-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Eugenius II</a> </td> <td> 824–827 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Valentine-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Valentine</a> </td> <td> 827 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregory-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gregory IV</a> </td> <td> 827–844 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>John</em></a> </td> <td> <em>844</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sergius-II-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sergius II</a> </td> <td> 844–847 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Leo-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Leo IV</a> </td> <td> 847–855 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict III</a> </td> <td> 855–858 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anastasius-the-Librarian" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Anastasius</em></a> <em>(Anastasius the Librarian)</em> </td> <td> <em>855</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Nicholas-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Nicholas I</a> </td> <td> 858–867 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Adrian-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Adrian II</a> </td> <td> 867–872 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-VIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John VIII</a> </td> <td> 872–882 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marinus-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Marinus I</a> </td> <td> 882–884 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Adrian-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Adrian III</a> </td> <td> 884–885 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-V-or-VI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Stephen V (or VI)</a><sup>3</sup> </td> <td> 885–891 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Formosus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Formosus</a> </td> <td> 891–896 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Boniface-VI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Boniface VI</a> </td> <td> 896 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-VI-or-VII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Stephen VI (or VII)</a><sup>3</sup> </td> <td> 896–897 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Romanus-pope-897" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Romanus</a> </td> <td> 897 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Theodore-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Theodore II</a> </td> <td> 897 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-IX" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John IX</a> </td> <td> 898–900 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict IV</a> </td> <td> 900–903 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leo-V-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Leo V</a> </td> <td> 903 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Christopher-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Christopher</em></a> </td> <td> <em>903</em><em>–904</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sergius-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sergius III</a> </td> <td> 904–911 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anastasius-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Anastasius III</a> </td> <td> 911–913 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lando" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Lando</a> </td> <td> 913–914 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-X" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John X</a> </td> <td> 914–928 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leo-VI-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Leo VI</a> </td> <td> 928 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-VII-or-VIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Stephen VII (or VIII)</a><sup>3</sup> </td> <td> 928–931 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-XI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John XI</a> </td> <td> 931–935 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leo-VII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Leo VII</a> </td> <td> 936–939 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-VIII-or-IX" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Stephen VIII (or IX)</a><sup>3</sup> </td> <td> 939–942 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marinus-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Marinus II</a> </td> <td> 942–946 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Agapitus-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Agapetus II</a> </td> <td> 946–955 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-XII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John XII</a> </td> <td> 955–964 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leo-VIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Leo VIII</a><sup>4</sup> </td> <td> 963–965 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-V" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict V</a><sup>4</sup> </td> <td> 964 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-XIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John XIII</a> </td> <td> 965–972 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-VI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict VI</a> </td> <td> 973–974 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Boniface-VII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Boniface VII</em></a> <em>(1st time)</em> </td> <td> <em>974</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-VII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict VII</a> </td> <td> 974–983 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-XIV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John XIV</a> </td> <td> 983–984 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Boniface-VII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Boniface VII</em></a> <em>(2nd time)</em> </td> <td> <em>984</em><em>–985</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-XV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John XV (or XVI)</a><sup>5</sup> </td> <td> 985–996 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregory-V" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gregory V</a> </td> <td> 996–999 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-XVI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>John XVI (or XVII)</em></a><sup>5</sup> </td> <td> <em>997</em><em>–998</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sylvester-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sylvester II</a> </td> <td> 999–1003 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-XVII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John XVII (or XVIII)</a><sup>5</sup> </td> <td> 1003 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-XVIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John XVIII (or XIX)</a><sup>5</sup> </td> <td> 1003–09 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sergius-IV-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sergius IV</a> </td> <td> 1009–12 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregory-VI-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Gregory (VI)</em></a> </td> <td> <em>1012</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-VIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict VIII</a> </td> <td> 1012–24 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-XIX" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John XIX (or XX)</a><sup>5</sup> </td> <td> 1024–32 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-IX" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict IX</a> (1st time) </td> <td> 1032–44 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sylvester-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sylvester III</a><sup>6</sup> </td> <td> 1045 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-IX" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict IX</a> (2nd time) </td> <td> 1045 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregory-VI-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gregory VI</a> </td> <td> 1045–46 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Clement II</a> </td> <td> 1046–47 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-IX" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict IX (3rd time)</a> </td> <td> 1047–48 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Damasus-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Damasus II</a> </td> <td> 1048 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Leo-IX" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Leo IX</a> </td> <td> 1049–54 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Victor-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Victor II</a> </td> <td> 1055–57 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-IX-or-X" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Stephen IX (or X)</a><sup>3</sup> </td> <td> 1057–58 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-X" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Benedict X</em></a> </td> <td> <em>1058</em><em>–59</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicholas-II-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Nicholas II</a> </td> <td> 1059–61 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-II-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Alexander II</a> </td> <td> 1061–73 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Honorius-II-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Honorius (II)</em></a> </td> <td> <em>1061</em><em>–64</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Gregory-VII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gregory VII</a> </td> <td> 1073–85 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-III-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Clement (III)</em></a> </td> <td> <em>1080</em><em>–1100</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Blessed-Victor-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Victor III</a> </td> <td> 1086–87 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Urban-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Urban II</a> </td> <td> 1088–99 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Paschal-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Paschal II</a> </td> <td> 1099–1118 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Theodoric-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Theodoric</em></a> </td> <td> <em>1100</em><em>–01</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Albert-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Albert</em></a> <em>(also called Aleric)</em> </td> <td> <em>1101</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sylvester-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Sylvester (IV)</em></a> </td> <td> <em>1105</em><em>–11</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gelasius-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gelasius II</a> </td> <td> 1118–19 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregory-VIII-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Gregory (VIII)</em></a> </td> <td> <em>1118–21</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Callixtus-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Calixtus II</a> (Callistus) </td> <td> 1119–24 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Honorius-II-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Honorius II</a> </td> <td> 1124–30 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Celestine-II-papal-candidate" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Celestine (II)</em></a> </td> <td> <em>1124</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Innocent-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Innocent II</a> </td> <td> 1130–43 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anacletus-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Anacletus (II)</em></a> </td> <td> <em>1130</em><em>–38</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Victor-IV-antipope-1138" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Victor (IV)</em></a> </td> <td> <em>1138</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Celestine-II-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Celestine II</a> </td> <td> 1143–44 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lucius-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Lucius II</a> </td> <td> 1144–45 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Blessed-Eugenius-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Eugenius III</a> </td> <td> 1145–53 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anastasius-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Anastasius IV</a> </td> <td> 1153–54 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Adrian-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Adrian IV</a> </td> <td> 1154–59 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-III-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Alexander III</a> </td> <td> 1159–81 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Victor-IV-antipope-1159-1164" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Victor (IV)</em></a> </td> <td> <em>1159</em><em>–64</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Paschal-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Paschal (III)</em></a> </td> <td> <em>1164</em><em>–68</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Callixtus-III-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Calixtus (III)</em></a> </td> <td> <em>1168</em><em>–78</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Innocent-III-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Innocent (III)</em></a> </td> <td> <em>1179</em><em>–80</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lucius-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Lucius III</a> </td> <td> 1181–85 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Urban-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Urban III</a> </td> <td> 1185–87 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregory-VIII-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gregory VIII</a> </td> <td> 1187 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-III-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Clement III</a> </td> <td> 1187–91 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Celestine-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Celestine III</a> </td> <td> 1191–98 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Innocent-III-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Innocent III</a> </td> <td> 1198–1216 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Honorius-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Honorius III</a> </td> <td> 1216–27 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregory-IX" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gregory IX</a> </td> <td> 1227–41 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Celestine-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Celestine IV</a> </td> <td> 1241 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Innocent-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Innocent IV</a> </td> <td> 1243–54 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-IV-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Alexander IV</a> </td> <td> 1254–61 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Urban-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Urban IV</a> </td> <td> 1261–64 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Clement IV</a> </td> <td> 1265–68 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Blessed-Gregory-X" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gregory X</a> </td> <td> 1271–76 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Blessed-Innocent-V" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Innocent V</a> </td> <td> 1276 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Adrian-V" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Adrian V</a> </td> <td> 1276 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-XXI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John XXI</a><sup>5</sup> </td> <td> 1276–77 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicholas-III-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Nicholas III</a> </td> <td> 1277–80 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martin-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Martin IV</a><sup>7</sup> </td> <td> 1281–85 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Honorius-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Honorius IV</a> </td> <td> 1285–87 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicholas-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Nicholas IV</a> </td> <td> 1288–92 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Celestine-V" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Celestine V</a> </td> <td> 1294 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Boniface-VIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Boniface VIII</a> </td> <td> 1294–1303 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Blessed-Benedict-XI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict XI</a> </td> <td> 1303–04 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-V" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Clement V</a> (at Avignon from 1309) </td> <td> 1305–14 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-XXII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John XXII</a><sup>5</sup> (at Avignon) </td> <td> 1316–34 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicholas-V-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Nicholas (V)</em></a> <em>at Rome)</em> </td> <td> <em>1328–30</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-XII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict XII</a> (at Avignon) </td> <td> 1334–42 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-VI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Clement VI</a> (at Avignon) </td> <td> 1342–52 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Innocent-VI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Innocent VI</a> (at Avignon) </td> <td> 1352–62 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Blessed-Urban-V" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Urban V</a> (at Avignon) </td> <td> 1362–70 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregory-XI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gregory XI</a> (at Avignon, then Rome from 1377) </td> <td> 1370–78 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Urban-VI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Urban VI</a> </td> <td> 1378–89 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-VII-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Clement (VII)</em></a> <em>(at Avignon)</em> </td> <td> <em>1378</em><em>–94</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Boniface-IX" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Boniface IX</a> </td> <td> 1389–1404 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-XIII-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Benedict (XIII)</em></a> <em>(at Avignon)</em> </td> <td> <em>1394</em><em>–1423</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Innocent-VII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Innocent VII</a> </td> <td> 1404–06 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregory-XII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gregory XII</a> </td> <td> 1406–15 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-V" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Alexander (V)</em></a> <em>(at Bologna)</em> </td> <td> <em>1409–10</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-XXIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>John (XXIII)</em></a> <em>(at Bologna)</em> </td> <td> <em>1410</em><em>–15</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martin-V" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Martin V</a><sup>7</sup> </td> <td> 1417–31 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-VIII-antipope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Clement (VIII)</em></a> </td> <td> <em>1423</em><em>–29</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eugenius-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Eugenius IV</a> </td> <td> 1431–47 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Amadeus-VIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true"><em>Felix (V)</em></a> <em>(also called Amadeus VIII of Savoy)</em> </td> <td> <em>1439–49</em> </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicholas-V-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Nicholas V</a> </td> <td> 1447–55 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Callixtus-III-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Calixtus III</a> (Callistus) </td> <td> 1455–58 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pius-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pius II</a> </td> <td> 1458–64 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Paul-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Paul II</a> </td> <td> 1464–71 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sixtus-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sixtus IV</a> </td> <td> 1471–84 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Innocent-VIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Innocent VIII</a> </td> <td> 1484–92 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-VI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Alexander VI</a> </td> <td> 1492–1503 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pius-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pius III</a> </td> <td> 1503 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Julius-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Julius II</a> </td> <td> 1503–13 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leo-X" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Leo X</a> </td> <td> 1513–21 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Adrian-VI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Adrian VI</a> </td> <td> 1522–23 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-VII-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Clement VII</a> </td> <td> 1523–34 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Paul-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Paul III</a> </td> <td> 1534–49 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Julius-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Julius III</a> </td> <td> 1550–55 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marcellus-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Marcellus II</a> </td> <td> 1555 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Paul-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Paul IV</a> </td> <td> 1555–59 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pius-IV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pius IV</a> </td> <td> 1559–65 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Pius-V" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pius V</a> </td> <td> 1566–72 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregory-XIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gregory XIII</a> </td> <td> 1572–85 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sixtus-V" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sixtus V</a> </td> <td> 1585–90 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Urban-VII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Urban VII</a> </td> <td> 1590 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregory-XIV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gregory XIV</a> </td> <td> 1590–91 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Innocent-IX" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Innocent IX</a> </td> <td> 1591 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-VIII-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Clement VIII</a> </td> <td> 1592–1605 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leo-XI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Leo XI</a> </td> <td> 1605 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Paul-V" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Paul V</a> </td> <td> 1605–21 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregory-XV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gregory XV</a> </td> <td> 1621–23 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Urban-VIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Urban VIII</a> </td> <td> 1623–44 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Innocent-X" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Innocent X</a> </td> <td> 1644–55 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-VII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Alexander VII</a> </td> <td> 1655–67 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-IX" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Clement IX</a> </td> <td> 1667–69 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-X" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Clement X</a> </td> <td> 1670–76 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Blessed-Innocent-XI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Innocent XI</a> </td> <td> 1676–89 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-VIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Alexander VIII</a> </td> <td> 1689–91 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Innocent-XII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Innocent XII</a> </td> <td> 1691–1700 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-XI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Clement XI</a> </td> <td> 1700–21 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Innocent-XIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Innocent XIII</a> </td> <td> 1721–24 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-XIII-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict XIII</a> </td> <td> 1724–30 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-XII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Clement XII</a> </td> <td> 1730–40 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-XIV-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict XIV</a> </td> <td> 1740–58 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-XIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Clement XIII</a> </td> <td> 1758–69 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clement-XIV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Clement XIV</a> </td> <td> 1769–74 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pius-VI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pius VI</a> </td> <td> 1775–99 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pius-VII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pius VII</a> </td> <td> 1800–23 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leo-XII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Leo XII</a> </td> <td> 1823–29 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pius-VIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pius VIII</a> </td> <td> 1829–30 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregory-XVI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gregory XVI</a> </td> <td> 1831–46 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pius-IX" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pius IX</a> </td> <td> 1846–78 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leo-XIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Leo XIII</a> </td> <td> 1878–1903 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Pius-X" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pius X</a> </td> <td> 1903–14 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-XV" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict XV</a> </td> <td> 1914–22 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pius-XI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pius XI</a> </td> <td> 1922–39 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pius-XII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pius XII</a> </td> <td> 1939–58 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-John-XXIII" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John XXIII</a> </td> <td> 1958–63 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Blessed-Paul-VI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Paul VI</a> </td> <td> 1963–78 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Paul-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John Paul I</a> </td> <td> 1978 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-John-Paul-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">John Paul II</a> </td> <td> 1978–2005 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benedict-XVI" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Benedict XVI</a> </td> <td> 2005–13 </td> </tr> <tr> <td scope="row"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-I-pope" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Francis I</a> </td> <td> 2013– </td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div> </span> </section> <span class="md-signature"><a href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</a></span><span class="md-signature">This article was most recently revised and updated by <a href="/editor/rene-ostberg/12853185">René Ostberg</a>.</span><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":1,"pageId":469994,"pageLength":449,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"B","adLeg":"B","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"MEDIUM","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Pope | Definition, Title, List of Popes, & Facts | Britannica