The Unbroken Line: From Saint Peter to Pope Leo XIV
When Jesus said to Peter, “You are rock, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18), He established something the world had never seen before: an unbroken chain of shepherds to guard His flock until the end of time.
From the martyrdom of Saint Peter in Rome, through centuries of persecution, reform, triumph, and trial, the Church has never been left without a shepherd. Pope has followed pope, not as kings of their own making, but as successors to the fisherman whom Christ Himself chose.
This list is not merely a record of names — it is a living testimony. Each pope, from Peter to Leo XIV, carries forward the same mission: to preserve the faith, proclaim the Gospel, and feed the flock of Christ. Their words, their prayers, their decrees, and often their sufferings, have left us a heritage of faith that no empire, heresy, or enemy could extinguish.
Today, as Pope Leo XIV guides the Church, we look back across nearly two thousand years of history and see one golden thread woven through the ages: the voice of Christ, alive in His Church, speaking through His chosen shepherds.
The Line of Papal Succession
1. Saint Peter (33–64 AD)
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
2. Saint Linus (64–76 AD)
Though no writings survive, Linus is remembered as a faithful disciple of Peter, ensuring reverence in worship and safeguarding the dignity of Christian women in the assembly.
3. Saint Anacletus / Cletus (76–88 AD)
Organized Roman presbyters into districts.
“The Church is ordered for the care of souls.” (traditional attribution)
4. Saint Clement I (88–99 AD)
“Charity unites us to God; love covers a multitude of sins.” — Letter to the Corinthians
5. Saint Evaristus (99–107 AD)
Established parishes in Rome.
“The flock of Christ is tended by His priests.” (traditional record)
6. Saint Alexander I (107–115 AD)
Attributed with blessing holy water.
“By water and prayer, God’s house is sanctified.” (attributed decree)
7. Saint Sixtus I (115–125 AD)
Instituted sacred vessels used only by clergy.
“The chalice belongs to the altar of God.” (early tradition)
8. Saint Telesphorus (125–136 AD)
Introduced Christmas Midnight Mass.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.” (liturgy)
9. Saint Hyginus (136–140 AD)
Opposed early Gnostics.
“Christ is the true measure of wisdom.” (traditional attribution)
10. Saint Pius I (140–154 AD)
Connected with The Shepherd of Hermas:
“The Church is the tower built upon the waters.”
11. Saint Anicetus (154–167 AD)
Opposed Gnosticism, debated Easter date.
“The Pasch is the Lord’s, not ours.” (disputed tradition)
12. Saint Soter (167–174 AD)
“Let no one glory in his works, for it is by grace that we are saved.” (fragment cited by later Fathers)
13. Saint Eleutherius (174–189 AD)
Wrote on dietary laws:
“Christians are not bound by Jewish food laws.”
14. Saint Victor I (189–199 AD)
Firm on celebrating Easter on Sunday.
“The day of the Resurrection is the day of the Lord.”
15. Saint Zephyrinus (199–217 AD)
Fought Modalist heresy.
“I know one God, Christ Jesus.”
16. Saint Callixtus I (217–222 AD)
“The Church is a hospital for sinners, not a court for the righteous.” (tradition)
17. Saint Urban I (222–230 AD)
Encouraged use of sacred vessels of precious metal.
18. Saint Pontian (230–235 AD)
Exiled to Sardinia.
“I am the servant of Christ in chains.” (inscription)
19. Saint Anterus (235–236 AD)
Known for collecting acts of martyrs.
20. Saint Fabian (236–250 AD)
Chosen pope after a dove landed on him.
The Persecuted Church
11. Saint Anicetus (154–167 AD)
Debated date of Easter with Polycarp.
12. Saint Soter (167–174 AD)
“Let no one glory in his works, for it is by grace that we are saved.” (fragment)
13. Saint Eleutherius (174–189 AD)
Christians freed from Jewish dietary laws.
14. Saint Victor I (189–199 AD)
Firm on Easter Sunday observance.
15. Saint Zephyrinus (199–217 AD)
“I know one God, Christ Jesus.”
16. Saint Callixtus I (217–222 AD)
“The Church is a hospital for sinners.” (tradition)
17. Saint Urban I (222–230 AD)
Encouraged sacred vessels of silver/gold.
18. Saint Pontian (230–235 AD)
Exiled, abdicated—first recorded papal abdication.
19. Saint Anterus (235–236 AD)
Collected acts of martyrs.
20. Saint Fabian (236–250 AD)
Chosen after a dove landed on him.
Through the Age of Martyrs
21. Saint Cornelius (251–253 AD)
“Outside the Church there is no salvation.”
22. Saint Lucius I (253–254 AD)
Encouraged confessors under persecution.
23. Saint Stephen I (254–257 AD)
“There is one baptism, one faith, one Church.”
24. Saint Sixtus II (257–258 AD)
Martyred during Mass.
25. Saint Dionysius (260–268 AD)
Strengthened Roman Church after Valerian persecutions.
26. Saint Felix I (269–274 AD)
Buried martyrs with honor in the catacombs.
27. Saint Eutychian (275–283 AD)
Instituted blessing of crops.
28. Saint Caius (283–296 AD)
Encouraged clergy formation.
29. Saint Marcellinus (296–304 AD)
Faced Diocletian persecution.
30. Saint Marcellus I (308–309 AD)
Reorganized the Church after persecution.
31. Saint Eusebius (309 or 310 AD)
Banished to Sicily for disputes over the lapsed.
32. Saint Miltiades (311–314 AD)
Celebrated the end of persecutions under Constantine.
33. Saint Sylvester I (314–335 AD)
Pope during the Council of Nicaea.
“We believe in one God, the Father Almighty…” (Nicene Creed, affirmed under his pontificate)
34. Saint Marcus (336 AD)
Strengthened Roman clergy structure.
35. Saint Julius I (337–352 AD)
Defended Nicene orthodoxy.
“The judgment of the Apostolic See is final.”
36. Saint Liberius (352–366 AD)
Exiled for refusing to condemn Athanasius.
37. Saint Damasus I (366–384 AD)
Commissioned Jerome’s Latin Vulgate Bible.
“The chair of Peter shall not be overcome by the enemies of men.”
38. Saint Siricius (384–399 AD)
Issued first surviving papal decretal.
39. Saint Anastasius I (399–401 AD)
Warned against Origen’s teachings.
40. Saint Innocent I (401–417 AD)
“Nothing should be done in the Church without the authority of the Roman See.”
41. Saint Zosimus (417–418 AD)
Addressed Pelagian heresy.
42. Saint Boniface I (418–422 AD)
Stressed papal authority.
43. Saint Celestine I (422–432 AD)
Sent St. Patrick to Ireland.
“No one can have God as Father who does not have the Church as Mother.”
44. Saint Sixtus III (432–440 AD)
Oversaw building of Santa Maria Maggiore.
45. Saint Leo I “the Great” (440–461 AD)
“Peter has spoken through the mouth of Leo.” (Council of Chalcedon)
Famous for defending Christ’s two natures.
46. Saint Hilarius (461–468 AD)
Strengthened papal authority in Gaul and Spain.
47. Saint Simplicius (468–483 AD)
Guided Church during the fall of Rome.
48. Saint Felix III (483–492 AD)
Opposed the Acacian schism.
49. Saint Gelasius I (492–496 AD)
“There are two powers by which this world is chiefly ruled: the sacred authority of priests and the royal power.”
50. Anastasius II (496–498 AD)
Attempted reconciliation with Eastern Church.
51. Saint Symmachus (498–514 AD)
Defended against schismatics in Rome.
52. Saint Hormisdas (514–523 AD)
Ended the Acacian schism with the East.
53. Saint John I (523–526 AD)
Martyred in prison under Theodoric.
54. Saint Felix IV (526–530 AD)
Converted the Temple of Romulus into a church.
55. Boniface II (530–532 AD)
First pope of German descent.
56. John II (533–535 AD)
First pope to take a new papal name.
57. Saint Agapetus I (535–536 AD)
Traveled to Constantinople, defended orthodoxy.
“Nothing can prevail against the truth.”
58. Saint Silverius (536–537 AD)
Deposed during Byzantine politics; exiled, died a confessor.
59. Vigilius (537–555 AD)
Caught in disputes over the Three Chapters controversy.
60. Pelagius I (556–561 AD)
Faced resistance for being appointed by Emperor Justinian.
61. John III (561–574 AD)
Defended Rome against Lombards.
62. Benedict I (575–579 AD)
Led during famine and war.
63. Pelagius II (579–590 AD)
Appealed to the Franks against Lombard invasions.
64. Saint Gregory I “the Great” (590–604 AD)
“Non Angli, sed angeli” (“They are not Angles, but angels”).
Famous for Gregorian Chant, mission to England.
65. Sabinian (604–606 AD)
Criticized for harsh administration during famine.
66. Boniface III (607 AD)
Recognized as “Universal Bishop” by decree.
67. Saint Boniface IV (608–615 AD)
Converted the Roman Pantheon into a Christian church (Santa Maria ad Martyres).
68. Saint Deusdedit (Adeodatus I) (615–618 AD)
First pope to use lead seals (bullae) on papal documents.
69. Boniface V (619–625 AD)
Established sanctuary rights in churches.
70. Honorius I (625–638 AD)
Later condemned for supporting monothelitism.
71. Severinus (640 AD)
Confirmed papal independence from Byzantine interference.
72. John IV (640–642 AD)
Defended orthodoxy against monothelitism.
73. Theodore I (642–649 AD)
Condemned heresy in the East.
74. Saint Martin I (649–653 AD)
“The Lord said: Whoever confesses Me before men, I will confess before My Father.”
Martyred in exile.
75. Saint Eugene I (654–657 AD)
Affirmed orthodoxy amid monothelite controversy.
76. Saint Vitalian (657–672 AD)
Introduced organ music into Roman liturgy.
77. Adeodatus II (672–676 AD)
Defended independence of papal elections.
78. Donus (676–678 AD)
Repaired churches in Rome.
79. Saint Agatho (678–681 AD)
His letter to the Third Council of Constantinople affirmed Christ’s two wills.
80. Saint Leo II (682–683 AD)
Confirmed council’s decrees against monothelitism.
81. Saint Benedict II (684–685 AD)
Defended papal authority against Byzantine control.
82. John V (685–686 AD)
Reduced taxation on clergy.
83. Conon (686–687 AD)
Greek pope with reputation for humility.
84. Saint Sergius I (687–701 AD)
Introduced the Agnus Dei into the Mass.
85. John VI (701–705 AD)
Protected Italy from Lombards.
86. John VII (705–707 AD)
Restored churches in Rome; supported Marian devotion.
87. Sisinnius (708 AD)
Reigned only 20 days, began restoration of Rome’s city walls.
88. Constantine (708–715 AD)
Last pope to visit Constantinople before modern times.
89. Saint Gregory II (715–731 AD)
Defended sacred images during the Iconoclast controversy.
90. Saint Gregory III (731–741 AD)
“We venerate the holy images of Christ, His Mother, and the saints.”
91. Saint Zachary (741–752 AD)
Brokered peace with Lombards; approved deposition of Merovingian king.
92. Stephen II (752–757 AD)
Secured alliance with Pepin the Short; laid groundwork for Papal States.
93. Saint Paul I (757–767 AD)
Converted ancient Roman temples into churches.
94. Stephen III (768–772 AD)
Condemned iconoclasm and supported veneration of images.
95. Adrian I (772–795 AD)
Worked closely with Charlemagne; defended orthodoxy.
96. Saint Leo III (795–816 AD)
Crowned Charlemagne “Emperor of the Romans” in 800 AD.
97. Stephen IV (816–817 AD)
Anointed Louis the Pious as emperor.
98. Saint Paschal I (817–824 AD)
Restored Roman churches; sheltered persecuted Eastern monks.
99. Eugene II (824–827 AD)
Held synods on clerical discipline.
100. Valentine (827 AD)
Brief reign, beloved for kindness.
101. Gregory IV (827–844 AD)
Promoted All Saints’ Day throughout the Church.
102. Sergius II (844–847 AD)
Repaired damage after Saracen raid on Rome.
103. Saint Leo IV (847–855 AD)
Built the Leonine Walls to defend Rome.
104. Benedict III (855–858 AD)
Defended Church independence from secular rulers.
105. Saint Nicholas I “the Great” (858–867 AD)
“The pope judges all men, but is judged by no one.”
106. Adrian II (867–872 AD)
Approved Council of Constantinople (869–70).
107. John VIII (872–882 AD)
“May all nations praise the name of the Lord.”
First pope assassinated.
108. Marinus I (882–884 AD)
Reconciled with Eastern bishops.
109. Saint Adrian III (884–885 AD)
Praised for justice and charity.
110. Stephen V (885–891 AD)
Promoted education and aid to poor during famine.
111. Formosus (891–896 AD)
Controversially tried posthumously in the “Cadaver Synod.”
112. Boniface VI (896 AD)
Reigned only 15 days.
113. Stephen VI (896–897 AD)
Presided over the Cadaver Synod.
114. Romanus (897 AD)
Annulled decrees of the Cadaver Synod.
115. Theodore II (897 AD)
Restored honor to Pope Formosus; reburied him with dignity.
116. John IX (898–900 AD)
Condemned the Cadaver Synod permanently.
117. Benedict IV (900–903 AD)
Defended clergy and crowned Louis the Blind as emperor.
118. Leo V (903 AD)
Brief reign; imprisoned and likely killed.
119. Christopher (903–904 AD)
Sometimes listed as an antipope, but included in succession lists.
120. Sergius III (904–911 AD)
Restored stability after a period of rival claimants.
121. Anastasius III (911–913 AD)
Maintained peace in Rome.
122. Lando (913–914 AD)
Last pope to choose a completely new name until John Paul I in 1978.
123. John X (914–928 AD)
Allied with Christian princes against Saracens.
124. Leo VI (928 AD)
Very brief reign.
125. Stephen VII (929–931 AD)
Little recorded, but supported Roman clergy.
126. John XI (931–935 AD)
His papacy was dominated by Roman noble families.
127. Leo VII (936–939 AD)
Promoted monastic reform.
128. Stephen VIII (939–942 AD)
Encouraged missionary work in Germany.
129. Marinus II (942–946 AD)
Strengthened monastic life.
130. Agapetus II (946–955 AD)
Supported the Cluniac reform movement.
131. John XII (955–964 AD)
Crowned Otto I as Holy Roman Emperor.
132. Leo VIII (963–965 AD)
Recognized by Emperor Otto I; later disputed as antipope.
133. Benedict V (964 AD)
Deposed and exiled by Otto I.
134. John XIII (965–972 AD)
Reconciled Church and empire.
135. Benedict VI (973–974 AD)
Imprisoned and killed during political turmoil.
136. Benedict VII (974–983 AD)
Supported monastic reforms at Cluny.
137. John XIV (983–984 AD)
Imprisoned by antipope Boniface VII.
138. John XV (985–996 AD)
Canonized St. Ulrich of Augsburg, the first recorded papal canonization.
139. Gregory V (996–999 AD)
First German pope.
140. Sylvester II (999–1003 AD)
“I die in the Catholic faith which I have always held.” (his deathbed words)
A great scholar; introduced Arabic numerals to Europe.
141. John XVII (1003 AD)
Short reign of six months.
142. John XVIII (1003–1009 AD)
Abdicated, retired to a monastery.
143. Sergius IV (1009–1012 AD)
Issued letter condemning destruction of Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
144. Benedict VIII (1012–1024 AD)
Crowned Emperor Henry II.
145. John XIX (1024–1032 AD)
Approved Byzantine liturgy in southern Italy.
146. Benedict IX (1032–1044; 1045; 1047–1048 AD)
Notoriously scandalous pope; resigned and returned multiple times.
147. Sylvester III (1045 AD)
Considered by many an antipope, reigned briefly during chaos.
148. Gregory VI (1045–1046 AD)
Resigned after being accused of simony (though likely acted in good faith).
149. Clement II (1046–1047 AD)
Crowned Emperor Henry III; died suddenly, possibly poisoned.
150. Benedict IX (restored, 1047–1048 AD)
Returned to office briefly before final deposition.
151. Damasus II (1048 AD)
Reigned only 23 days.
152. Saint Leo IX (1049–1054 AD)
“The Church of Rome has never erred, nor will it err to all eternity.”
Led reforms, fought simony, opposed Eastern schism.
153. Victor II (1055–1057 AD)
Close ally of Emperor Henry III.
154. Stephen IX (1057–1058 AD)
Planned reform council but died before it convened.
155. Nicholas II (1059–1061 AD)
Established cardinal electors for papal conclaves.
156. Alexander II (1061–1073 AD)
Supported reforms, condemned lay investiture.
157. Saint Gregory VII (1073–1085 AD)
“I have loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore I die in exile.”
Central figure in the Investiture Controversy.
158. Blessed Victor III (1086–1087 AD)
Encouraged crusading spirit against Saracens.
159. Urban II (1088–1099 AD)
“Deus vult!” (“God wills it!”) — called the First Crusade.
160. Paschal II (1099–1118 AD)
Struggled with emperors over investiture.
161. Gelasius II (1118–1119 AD)
Fled Rome during imperial opposition.
162. Callixtus II (1119–1124 AD)
Concordat of Worms ended Investiture Controversy.
163. Honorius II (1124–1130 AD)
Approved the Knights Templar.
164. Innocent II (1130–1143 AD)
Presided at Second Lateran Council, condemning clerical marriage.
165. Celestine II (1143–1144 AD)
Reigned less than a year; promoted peace.
166. Lucius II (1144–1145 AD)
Died after injury during a Roman revolt.
167. Blessed Eugene III (1145–1153 AD)
Called the Second Crusade. Disciple of St. Bernard of Clairvaux.
168. Anastasius IV (1153–1154 AD)
Settled disputes with Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.
169. Adrian IV (1154–1159 AD)
The only English pope. Crowned Frederick Barbarossa.
170. Alexander III (1159–1181 AD)
Defended Church against imperial power; approved Third Lateran Council.
171. Lucius III (1181–1185 AD)
Condemned Cathar heresy at Council of Verona.
172. Urban III (1185–1187 AD)
Lamented the loss of Jerusalem to Saladin.
173. Gregory VIII (1187 AD)
Issued Audita tremendi calling for the Third Crusade.
174. Clement III (1187–1191 AD)
Restored peace between papacy and Rome.
175. Celestine III (1191–1198 AD)
Crowned Emperor Henry VI.
176. Innocent III (1198–1216 AD)
“The Pope is less than God but more than man.”
One of the most powerful medieval popes; called the Fourth Crusade.
177. Honorius III (1216–1227 AD)
Approved the Dominicans and Franciscans.
“We desire that the faith be spread by preaching and by example.”
178. Gregory IX (1227–1241 AD)
Canonized St. Francis and St. Dominic; launched crusades.
“The Church is founded upon faith, hope, and charity.”
179. Celestine IV (1241 AD)
Reigned only 17 days.
180. Innocent IV (1243–1254 AD)
Approved St. Clare’s Rule; confronted Emperor Frederick II.
181. Alexander IV (1254–1261 AD)
Encouraged the Inquisition; supported new orders.
182. Urban IV (1261–1264 AD)
Established the Feast of Corpus Christi.
“The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s love.”
183. Clement IV (1265–1268 AD)
Oversaw trial of philosopher Roger Bacon.
184. Blessed Gregory X (1271–1276 AD)
Reformed papal conclaves; led Second Council of Lyons.
185. Innocent V (1276 AD)
First Dominican pope; promoted peace among nations.
186. Adrian V (1276 AD)
Died before consecration.
187. John XXI (1276–1277 AD)
A scholar, wrote on medicine and philosophy.
188. Nicholas III (1277–1280 AD)
Expanded papal states; emphasized papal sovereignty.
189. Martin IV (1281–1285 AD)
Allied with France; excommunicated Byzantine emperor.
190. Honorius IV (1285–1287 AD)
Supported mendicant orders.
191. Nicholas IV (1288–1292 AD)
First Franciscan pope; promoted missions to Asia.
192. Saint Celestine V (1294 AD)
The hermit pope who abdicated.
“I resign the papacy for the sake of humility and simplicity.”
193. Boniface VIII (1294–1303 AD)
“Outside the Church there is no salvation.” — Unam Sanctam
194. Blessed Benedict XI (1303–1304 AD)
Peacemaker; defended papal dignity.
195. Clement V (1305–1314 AD)
Moved papacy to Avignon.
196. John XXII (1316–1334 AD)
Issued many decretals; emphasized papal authority.
197. Benedict XII (1334–1342 AD)
Reformed monasteries.
198. Clement VI (1342–1352 AD)
“I am Pope; I am Caesar. I will not yield to anyone.”
Guided Church through the Black Death.
199. Innocent VI (1352–1362 AD)
Encouraged peace between nations.
200. Blessed Urban V (1362–1370 AD)
Tried to return papacy to Rome; patron of learning.
201. Gregory XI (1370–1378 AD)
Returned papacy from Avignon to Rome.
202. Urban VI (1378–1389 AD)
Harsh reformer; Western Schism began during his reign.
203. Boniface IX (1389–1404 AD)
Strengthened papal finances during Schism.
204. Innocent VII (1404–1406 AD)
Sought to end Schism, but failed.
205. Gregory XII (1406–1415 AD)
Abdicated to help resolve the Western Schism.
206. Martin V (1417–1431 AD)
Restored unity after the Schism.
“We restore to the Church her dignity and order.”
207. Eugene IV (1431–1447 AD)
Presided over the Council of Florence.
“The holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes, and preaches…” (Decree on Unity of the Church).
208. Nicholas V (1447–1455 AD)
Founded the Vatican Library; patron of Renaissance art.
209. Callixtus III (1455–1458 AD)
Called for crusade after fall of Constantinople.
210. Pius II (1458–1464 AD)
“Reject Aeneas, accept Pius.” (remark about his conversion from humanist writer to pope).
211. Paul II (1464–1471 AD)
Reformed the College of Cardinals.
212. Sixtus IV (1471–1484 AD)
Built the Sistine Chapel.
213. Innocent VIII (1484–1492 AD)
Issued bull against witchcraft (Summis desiderantes affectibus).
214. Alexander VI (1492–1503 AD)
Controversial Borgia pope; patron of Renaissance culture.
215. Pius III (1503 AD)
Reigned only 26 days.
216. Julius II (1503–1513 AD)
“The Warrior Pope”; commissioned Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling.
217. Leo X (1513–1521 AD)
“God has given us the papacy; let us enjoy it.” (attributed)
Pope at the time of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses.
218. Adrian VI (1522–1523 AD)
Last non-Italian pope before John Paul II; sought to reform abuses.
219. Clement VII (1523–1534 AD)
Pope during Henry VIII’s break with Rome.
220. Paul III (1534–1549 AD)
Opened the Council of Trent.
“The Holy Spirit has been given to the Church as its guide.”
221. Julius III (1550–1555 AD)
Reopened Council of Trent after delay.
222. Marcellus II (1555 AD)
Reigned only 22 days; known for holiness.
223. Paul IV (1555–1559 AD)
Established the Index of Forbidden Books.
224. Pius IV (1559–1565 AD)
Concluded the Council of Trent.
225. Saint Pius V (1566–1572 AD)
“Through the Rosary you shall obtain all virtue.”
Excommunicated Elizabeth I; reformed liturgy (Tridentine Mass).
226. Gregory XIII (1572–1585 AD)
Introduced the Gregorian Calendar.
227. Sixtus V (1585–1590 AD)
Reorganized Curia; rebuilt Rome.
228. Urban VII (1590 AD)
Shortest papacy in history: 13 days.
229. Gregory XIV (1590–1591 AD)
Forbade wagers on papal elections.
230. Innocent IX (1591 AD)
Reigned two months.
231. Clement VIII (1592–1605 AD)
Approved Jesuit missions; reconciled Henry IV of France to the Church.
232. Leo XI (1605 AD)
“Papa Lightning” — papacy lasted 27 days.
233. Paul V (1605–1621 AD)
Completed St. Peter’s Basilica.
234. Gregory XV (1621–1623 AD)
Founded the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith (Propaganda Fide).
235. Urban VIII (1623–1644 AD)
Patron of Galileo (later condemned him).
“If the world is not governed by God, by whom then?”
236. Innocent X (1644–1655 AD)
Condemned Jansenism.
237. Alexander VII (1655–1667 AD)
Built Bernini’s colonnade at St. Peter’s.
“We must be both shepherd and servant of the flock.”
238. Clement IX (1667–1669 AD)
Promoted peace in Europe; beloved for kindness.
239. Clement X (1670–1676 AD)
Canonized several saints including St. Rose of Lima.
240. Blessed Innocent XI (1676–1689 AD)
“In matters of faith, let us never compromise.”
Defended Church from Turkish invasion at Vienna.
241. Alexander VIII (1689–1691 AD)
Assisted the poor of Rome generously.
242. Innocent XII (1691–1700 AD)
Abolished nepotism in papal office.
243. Clement XI (1700–1721 AD)
Declared the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
244. Innocent XIII (1721–1724 AD)
Promoted missions in China and India.
245. Benedict XIII (1724–1730 AD)
“Holiness is the most powerful sermon.”
246. Clement XII (1730–1740 AD)
Commissioned Trevi Fountain.
247. Benedict XIV (1740–1758 AD)
Promoted science and art; respected Enlightenment thought.
248. Clement XIII (1758–1769 AD)
Defended Jesuits against suppression.
249. Clement XIV (1769–1774 AD)
Suppressed the Jesuits under political pressure.
250. Pius VI (1775–1799 AD)
Imprisoned by French Revolutionaries.
251. Pius VII (1800–1823 AD)
“The Pope is not a prisoner of Napoleon.”
Restored Jesuits.
252. Leo XII (1823–1829 AD)
Promoted missions, strict moral reforms.
253. Pius VIII (1829–1830 AD)
Short pontificate; defended Catholic teaching against rationalism.
254. Gregory XVI (1831–1846 AD)
Opposed modern liberalism.
255. Blessed Pius IX (1846–1878 AD)
Longest-reigning pope; defined Immaculate Conception.
“I am tradition — I am the Church.”
256. Leo XIII (1878–1903 AD)
“Rerum Novarum” — foundation of Catholic social teaching.
257. Saint Pius X (1903–1914 AD)
“Restore all things in Christ.”
Encouraged frequent Communion.
258. Benedict XV (1914–1922 AD)
Called World War I the “suicide of civilized Europe.”
259. Pius XI (1922–1939 AD)
“Christ must reign.” — instituted Feast of Christ the King.
260. Pius XII (1939–1958 AD)
Led Church through WWII; defined dogma of the Assumption.
261. Saint John XXIII (1958–1963 AD)
Opened Vatican II.
“Open the windows of the Church and let in the fresh air.”
262. Saint Paul VI (1963–1978 AD)
Completed Vatican II; wrote Humanae Vitae.
263. John Paul I (1978 AD)
“The Smiling Pope” — 33-day pontificate.
264. Saint John Paul II (1978–2005 AD)
“Be not afraid.”
Traveled the world, helped end Communism in Eastern Europe.
265. Benedict XVI (2005–2013 AD)
“Truth is not determined by a majority vote.”
Resigned papacy, becoming Pope Emeritus.
266. Francis (2013–2025 AD)
First Jesuit pope, first from the Americas.
“The name of God is mercy.”
267. Leo XIV (2025–Present) — Robert Francis Prevost
Current pope, first American-born since Francis.
“The Church must walk with the poor, with humility, and with hope.”