List of popes

This list of popes lists all the bishops of Rome. These contribute in the 5th century, following the example of their brethren from Alexandria, the honorary title of Pope.

Introduction

It is not certain whether - led the Church of Rome in the first 100 years by a single bishop, the Pope, or by a college of priests - according to the question of the formation of Monepiskopats; However, the former is likely (see below for Clemens and the early Pope list in Irenaeus of Lyons ) and is taught by the Catholic side, traditionally so. Even at Clement I (probably about 88 to 97) shows that a single bishop had held special executive positions. To safeguard the legitimate succession chain, it was enough to hold his name ( Irenaeus ). The specific, historically not always safe source location is to be observed in relation to the popes of the first 100 to 200 years.

The title pope ( papa 'father' ) is not reserved to the Bishop of Rome, but was first used by the Patriarch of Alexandria. Patriarch Heraclas (reigned 232-248 ) is considered the first bishop who led this honorary title. His successors, the Popes of the Coptic Church ( current as of November 2012 Tawadros II ) bear this title until today. Only 70 years after Heraclas a Roman colleague was designated this title for the first time. Marcellinus, 304 died, the first Roman bishop, for by a contemporary inscription the name papa is testified Siricius 384-399 of the first, which they used as a proper name. Since Leo the Great 440-461 it has established itself as the usual name of the Pope. Only since Gregory VII 1073-1085 takes the Roman Church the title as the exclusive prerogative of the Roman Pontiff to complete. Nonetheless, the early bishops of Rome are called traditional and in modern historical literature as popes.

By the Council of Constance from 1414 to 1418 there were constant disputes, who was the rightful pope and who is not ( so-called anti-popes ). The actual situation is not always clarified until today and can no longer be often clarify. So called, for example, Angelo Roncalli not John XXIV (cf. Pope name ) because he the - open since the Council of Constance - question of the legality of the Antipope John XXIII. - With secular name Baldassare Cossa, who died in 1419 - by his name would not count subsequently decide in favor of the anti-pope. This should also be taken into account when considering this list. These ambiguities result, a continuous numbering of the Popes is not possible.

Comments

• Anti-popes are listed below in light gray and italics.
• Holy Spoken or beatified popes are marked with (St ) and ( Bl ).
• The so-called Pope Joan (John Anglicus ) is not included because their existence is not historically occupied and it is considered as a legendary figure.
• There were no popes with the name Martin II and Martin III. Since the late Middle Ages Marinus I and Marinus II were mistakenly listed under this name. Likewise, there is no John XX. , Which was skipped by mistake.
• There is no legitimate pope with the name of John XVI. , But probably an anti-pope. Likewise, there is no legitimate Benedict X. Alexander V. Also, Anacletus II, Felix V., Constantine II, Paschal III. , Silvester III. New Year's Eve and IV come so far only available as anti-popes.
• There were two popes named Stephen II: see Stephan ( II ) and Stephen II The first of the two had only a 4-day term and is today regarded as illegitimate due to lack of episcopal ordination and not counted. Moreover, there are two anti-popes with the name Victor IV
• Extremely long Sedisvakanzen are marked with ( Holy See is vacant ) and dark gray.
• Problematic are the pontificates of the two selected to Pisa by a faction of the Roman College of Cardinals Popes Alexander V. and John XXIII. , Which are considered only in the 20th century by the Catholic Church as a safe anti-popes.
• The only revered as a saint antipope is Hippolytus of Rome, author of the Apostolic Tradition.

Statistics

• To this day, there was, without regard to legitimacy, a total of 307 church historically relevant popes.
• Of these, 31 were anti-popes in Rome, two in Pisa and five in Avignon.
• When four popes legitimacy is unclear.
• Of the remaining 266 popes officiated 259 in Rome and 7 in Avignon, which, however, remained from there Bishops of Rome.
• Three Popes ( Stephan ( II ), Celestine IV and V. Hadrian ) died before the ceremonial inauguration in their pontifical office. Celestine IV was, after Cardinal Bishop ( Sabina ), Stephan was only priests (without episcopal ordination ), Hadrian was even only a deacon (he had neither the priest nor the consecration received).
• Two popes ( Celestine V and Pope Benedict XVI. ) Resigned voluntarily from office because they felt their tasks no longer grown. Other popes (among Pontian, Silverius and Gregory XII. ) Waived under external pressure on their office.
• 79 popes and one antipope are venerated as saints. Twelve Popes were beatified, for three Popes there is an ongoing Beatification process.
• The most commonly chosen name is 26 times John XXIII to. , With John VIII and XXIII. to legitimate and an antipope were awarded, XVI. only for an antipope, XX. not been assigned and the name also been used twice in the double name John Paul.
• Two popes were awarded the title of Doctor of the Church: Gregory I and Leo the Great.
• On average, a pontificate lasted 7.4 years. Between the year 33, the beginning of the pontificate of Peter, and in 2013, the end of the pontificate of Benedict XVI. , Are 1980 years. The Pontifical Yearbook recognizes in this time 265 popes. All seven lasted longer Sedisvakanzen together about 16.5 years: ((1.980-16,5) / 265 = 7.4)

The popes and bishops of Rome

(St ) = canonized • ( sel ) = beatified • Graphical representation of terms