History UsefulNotes / NotablePopes

A detailed list of notable historical popes in reverse chronological order. See UsefulNotes/ThePope for the general description of the Papacy.

The popes are sorted in reverse chronological order.

A detailed list of notable historical popes. See UsefulNotes/ThePope for the general description of the Papacy.

* '''St. Peter''' (c.30-67): An Apostle of UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}} and [[UrExample traditionally the first pope]]. Originally named Šimʕōn (Simon), was nicknamed Kêfâ‎ ("rock") by Jesus, translated into Greek as ''Petros'', hence "Peter". Said to have fled UsefulNotes/{{Nero}}'s Rome, but saw a vision of Christ and asked, "''Domine, quo vadis?''"("Lord, where are you going?") and was answered, "I am going to be crucified again." Immediately, he returned to the City; and was crucified upside down, according to his legend, both feeling that he was not worthy to be martyred the same way that Jesus died and wishing to give a subtle dying snark at Nero without saying it out loud. Because of this an upside-down cross in Catholic and Christian tradition is called "The Cross of St. Peter" and represents submission and humility before God. [[note]]While, despite its modern connotations, this isn't inherently a Satanic symbol, an inverted ''crucifix'' very much is.[[/note]]

** At 93 years and 141 days old in July 2020, Benedict became the longest-living pope in the Catholic Church's history (though not the oldest ''reigning''), beating Leo XIII. The latter remains the oldest reigning.

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* '''Gregory XVI''' (1831-46): Born Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari. Elected during a time of violent political upheaval in southern Europe, much of the early months of Gregory XVI's reign was spent dodging bombings, shootings and other assassination attempts. A deeply conservative and traditionalist pope, Gregory XVI fought tooth and claw to oppose reform movements to the church across Europe, both within the church and in the governments of Catholic nations seeking democracy. He was also noteworthy for opposing technological innovation such as gas lamps and the railroad system. That said, in 1839, he did write a scathing condemnation of the Atlantic slave trade, declaring that opposition to slavery was an inherently Christian value and denying the aid of the church to anyone involved in the slave trade.

* St. '''Linus''' (c.67-76): The second Pope, and according to some early Christian writings, may have been mentioned in the Bible in Paul's second letter to Timothy. Not nearly as famous as his predecessor...

* '''St. Peter''' (c.30-67): An Apostle of Jesus and [[UrExample traditionally the first pope]]. Originally named Šimʕōn (Simon), was nicknamed Kêfâ‎ ("rock") by Jesus, translated into Greek as ''Petros'', hence "Peter". Said to have fled Nero's Rome, but saw a vision of Christ and asked, "''Domine, quo vadis?''"("Lord, where are you going?") and was answered, "I am going to be crucified again." Immediately, he returned to the City; and was crucified upside down, according to his legend, both feeling that he was not worthy to be martyred the same way that Jesus died and wishing to give a subtle dying snark at Nero without saying it out loud. Because of this an upside-down cross in Catholic and Christian tradition is called "The Cross of St. Peter" and represents submission and humility before God. [[note]]While, despite its modern connotations, this isn't inherently a Satanic symbol, an inverted ''crucifix'' very much is.[[/note]]

* '''Benedict XVI''' (2005-2013): Real name Joseph Alois Ratzinger. He hails from UsefulNotes/{{Germany}} (and yes, he was recruited against his will in the Hitler Youth as a kid during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, it was the law in Germany back then) and was Archbishop of UsefulNotes/{{Munich}} and Freising. Was very well-known as a [[{{bookworm}} scholar and intellectual]] before his ascension. Conservative and not very good with getting the media to accurately express his views. He affirmed the taboo of condoms, and reconciled (de-excommunicated) four traditionalist bishops who were illicitly ordained. Among them was Bishop Richard Williamson, a Holocaust denier, for lack of a Google search. [[FaceOfAThug Looks suspiciously like]] [[Franchise/StarWars Emperor Palpatine]] according to some, this being the source of one too many {{Memetic Mutation}}s, and the accusation is not helped by the fact that his previous job was the the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (previously known as the Holy Office, or more importantly, the Roman ''Inquisition''[[note]]This is definitively NOT the same as the more well-known Spanish Inquisition[[/note]]); his infamous nicknames "God's Rottweiler", "[[{{Pun}}The German Shepherd]]", and "Panzerkardinal"[[labelnote:Note]]Counts as HarsherInHindsight on his part as he was drafted into the Wehrmacht as a member of the Hitler Youth[[/labelnote]] also don't help. He relaxed the rules on when the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tridentine_Mass Tridentine Mass]] (traditional Latin ritual) can be performed, to the glee of some Catholics and the dismay of others, and the new English translation of the Roman Missal was implemented under his watch. Again, some Catholics rejoiced, some despaired, most (churchgoing ones at least) simply resolved to read the new responses until they were memorized.

* '''Francis''' (2013- ): The current guy, real name Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He was born and raised in UsefulNotes/{{Argentina}} (although both of his parents were actually Italian immigrants) and was Archbishop of Buenos Aires. A member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), he graduated as a chemical technician before joining the priesthood and taught literature and psychology in a Jesuit-run high school early in his career. His election in 2013 marked a number of Papal firsts:

** At 93 years and 141 days old in July 2020, Benedict became the longest-living pope in the Catholic Church's history (though he wasn't pope anymore by that time), beating Leo XIII.

* '''Leo XIII''' (1878-1903), real name [[BlueBlood Count]] Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci. The former oldest pope (since beaten by Benedict XVI), he died at age 93 and had the third longest pontificate. A big devotee of the Virgin Mary, his nickname was "the Rosary Pope". Very concerned for social welfare and justice, his best known encyclical is ''Rerum Novarum'', in which he strongly defends the rights of workers. Also, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9Pv-UuGUDM the first Pope whose voice was recorded]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFUMb0I4vIU the first Pope ever caught on film]], and probably the earliest-born person caught on film EVER (being born during the UsefulNotes/TheNapoleonicWars in 1810). A rather nice and funny guy, too.

** First pope from the Americas.

A detailed list of notable historical popes. See UsefulNotes/ThePope for the general description and general history of the Papacy.

A detailed list of notable historical popes. See UsefulNotes/ThePope for the general description and history of the Papacy.

He was a fan of ''Literature/TheAdventuresOfPinocchio'', to the point that he sent a letter to its protagonist. This was one of a series of sermons in the form of whimsical letters to fictional and historical figures including Creator/CharlesDickens, G.K. Chesterton and Creator/MarkTwain, later published as a book, ''Illustrissimi'' (The Illustrious Ones).

* St. '''John XXIII''' (1958-63): Real name Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, originally a CountryMouse and ImpoverishedPatrician. Also was the Patriarch of Venice by the time he was elected. Considered more liberal and progressive in his time, compared to his immediate predecessors. 76 years old when elected, he was expected to rule for only a short, uneventful term, but revolutionized the office by his warm down-to-earth approach to the job. He called the Second Vatican Council, which would end up renewing Catholicism as a whole, and was finished by his successor Paul VI. Generally known as "The Good Pope" for his easy smile and gentleness. In what they described as a 'very specific' case [[labelnote:*]]though this has more to do with the importance of his spearheading of Vatican II[[/labelnote]], the Vatican waived the requirement for a second miracle and canonized him in April 2014, alongside his successor, John Paul II.

* '''Benedict XVI''' (2005-2013): Real name Joseph Alois Ratzinger. He hails from UsefulNotes/{{Germany}} (and yes, he was recruited against his will in the Hitler Youth as a kid during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, it was the law in Germany back then) and was Archbishop of UsefulNotes/{{Munich}} and Freising. Was very well-known as a [[{{bookworm}} scholar and intellectual]] before his ascension. Conservative and not very good with getting the media to accurately express his views. He affirmed the taboo of condoms, and reconciled (de-excommunicated) four traditionalist bishops who were illicitly ordained. Among them was Bishop Richard Williamson, a Holocaust denier, for lack of a Google search. [[FaceOfAThug Looks suspiciously like]] [[Franchise/StarWars Emperor Palpatine]] according to some, this being the source of one too many {{Memetic Mutation}}s, and the accusation is not helped by the fact that his previous job was the the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (previously known as the Holy Office, or more importantly, the Roman ''Inquisition''[[note]]This is definitively NOT the same as the more well-known Spanish Inquisition[[/note]]); his infamous nicknames "God's Rottweiler", "[[{{Pun}}The German Shepherd]]", and "Panzerkardinal"[[labelnote:Note]]Counts as HarsherInHindsight on his part as he was drafted into the Wehrmacht as a member of the Hitler Youth[[/labelnote]] also don't help. He relaxed the rules on when the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tridentine_Mass Tridentine Mass]] (traditional Latin ritual) can be performed, to the glee of some Catholics and the dismay of others, and the new English translation of the Roman Missal was implemented under his watch. Again, some Catholics rejoiced, some despaired, most (churchgoing ones at least) simply resolved to read the new responses until they were memorized. At 93 years and 141 days old in July 2020, Benedict became the longest-living pope in the Catholic Church's history (though he wasn't pope anymore by that time), beating Leo XIII.

* '''Benedict XVI''' (2005-2013): Real name Joseph Alois Ratzinger. He hails from Germany (and yes, he was recruited against his will in the Hitler Youth as a kid, it was the law in Germany back then) and was Archbishop of Munich and Freising. Was very well-known as a [[{{bookworm}} scholar and intellectual]] before his ascension. Conservative and not very good with getting the media to accurately express his views. He affirmed the taboo of condoms, and reconciled (de-excommunicated) four traditionalist bishops who were illicitly ordained. Among them was Bishop Richard Williamson, a Holocaust denier, for lack of a Google search. [[FaceOfAThug Looks suspiciously like]] [[Franchise/StarWars Emperor Palpatine]] according to some, this being the source of one too many {{Memetic Mutation}}s, and the accusation is not helped by the fact that his previous job was the the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (previously known as the Holy Office, or more importantly, the Roman ''Inquisition''[[note]]This is definitively NOT the same as the more well-known Spanish Inquisition[[/note]]); his infamous nicknames "God's Rottweiler", "[[{{Pun}}The German Shepherd]]", and "Panzerkardinal"[[labelnote:Note]]Counts as HarsherInHindsight on his part as he was drafted into the Wehrmacht as a member of the Hitler Youth[[/labelnote]] also don't help. He relaxed the rules on when the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tridentine_Mass Tridentine Mass]] (traditional Latin ritual) can be performed, to the glee of some Catholics and the dismay of others, and the new English translation of the Roman Missal was implemented under his watch. Again, some Catholics rejoiced, some despaired, most (churchgoing ones at least) simply resolved to read the new responses until they were memorized. At 93 years and 141 days old in July 2020, Benedict became the longest-living pope in the Catholic Church's history (though he wasn't pope anymore by that time), beating Leo XIII.

A detailed list of notable historical [[UsefulNotes/ThePope Popes]].

They are sorted in reverse chronological order.

** If he is included in the list of Popes, he is Pope Stephen II, and all later Popes named Stephen have their regnal numbers increased by one.

* '''Adrian IV''' (1154-1159): Real name, [[AwesomeMcCoolname Nicholas Breakspear]]. To date the only English pope, he may or may not have issued the possible papal bull ''Laudabiliter'' which might have given the okay for Henry II to invade Ireland.

** If he is included in the list of Popes, he is Pope Stephen II, and all later Popes named Stephen have their regnal numbers increased by one (for instance, the above-mentioned Pope of the Cadaver Synod would be identified as Stephen VII).

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A detailed list of notable historical [[UsefulNotes/ThePopes Popes]].