Key Popes in History

Key Figures

Papal Timeline

St. Peter

Papacy: c. 33 – 64 AD

First Bishop of Rome, considered the first Pope. Martyred in Rome.

Learn more

St. Linus

Papacy: 64–76

Second Pope and First Successor to Peter.

Learn more

St. Clement I

Papacy: 88–99

Wrote influential letter to the Corinthians and was martyred in Crimea.

Learn more

St. Sixtus II

Papacy: 257–258

Martyred during Emperor Valerian's persecution.

Learn more

St. Damasus I

Papacy: 366–384

Promoted Latin Vulgate Bible translation.

Learn more

St. Siricius

Papacy: 384–399

First to issue papal decretals.

Learn more

St. Leo I "the Great"

Papacy: 590–604

Theological authority, met Attila.

Learn more

St. Agatho

Papacy: 678–681

Helped heal East-West schism at Constantinople.

Learn more

St. Zachary

Papacy: 741–752

Strengthened relationship with Franks.

Learn more

Stephen II

Papacy: 752–757

Formed alliance with Pepin the Short; Papal States.

Learn more

Adrian I

Papacy: 772–795

Worked closely with Charlemagne.

Learn more

St. Leo III

Papacy: 795–816

Crowned Charlemagne as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

Learn more

Nicholas I "the Great"

Papacy: 858–867

Exerted papal influence in Western Europe.

Learn more

Gregory VII

Papacy: 1073–1085

Reformer; stood off against Henry IV.

Learn more

Urban II

Papacy: 1088–1099

Initiated the First Crusade.

Learn more

Paschal II

Papacy: 1099–1118

Clashed with secular rulers over investiture.

Learn more

Alexander III

Papacy: 1159–1181

Conflict with Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.

Learn more

Innocent III

Papacy: 1198–1216

Most powerful medieval pope.

Learn more

St. Celestine V

Papacy: 1294

Resigned papacy; later canonized.

Learn more

Boniface VIII

Papacy: 1294–1303

Issued Unam Sanctam on papal supremacy.

Learn more

Martin V

Papacy: 1417–1431

Ended the Western Schism; Papacy returns to Rome from Avignon.

Learn more

Nicholas V

Papacy: 1447–1455

Founded the Vatican Library.

Learn more

Alexander VI (Borgia)

Papacy: 1492–1503

Notorious for corruption.

Learn more

Julius II

Papacy: 1503–1513

Patron of Michelangelo, warrior pope, and commissioner of new St. Peter's Basilica.

Learn more

Leo X

Papacy: 1513–1521

Excommunicated Martin Luther.

Learn more

Clement VII

Papacy: 1523–1534

Pope during Henry VIII’s break from Rome.

Learn more

Paul III

Papacy: 1534–1549

Began the Council of Trent.

Learn more

St. Pius V

Papacy: 1566–1572

Excommunicated Elizabeth I; Battle of Lepanto.

Learn more

Benedict XIV

Papacy: 1740–1758

Enlightenment-era scholar pope who wrote many encyclicals defending the Faith.

Learn more

Pius VI

Papacy: 1775–1799

Imprisoned by French revolutionaries.

Learn more

Pius VII

Papacy: 1800–1823

Opposed Napoleon.

Learn more

Gregory XVI

Papacy: 1831–1846

Resisted modernity.

Learn more

Pius IX

Papacy: 1846–1878

Longest reign; defined the Immaculate Conception.

Learn more

Leo XIII

Papacy: 1878–1903

Issued Rerum Novarum on workers’ rights.

Learn more

St. Pius X

Papacy: 1903–1914

Liturgical reformer; canonized.

Learn more

Benedict XV

Papacy: 1914–1922

Advocated for peace and diplomacy in World War I.

Learn more

Pius XI

Papacy: 1922–1939

Preached against totalitarian ideologies.

Learn more

Pius XII

Papacy: 1939–1958

Pope during World War II and Nazi Occupation of Italy.

Learn more

John XXIII

Papacy: 1958–1963

Launched the Second Vatican Council.

Learn more

Paul VI

Papacy: 1963–1978

Completed the Second Vatican Council; issued Humanae Vitae.

Learn more

John Paul I

Papacy: 1978

Only 33 days as pope; beloved but short-lived.

Learn more

John Paul II

Papacy: 1978–2005

Global figure; saint; first Polish pope.

Learn more

Benedict XVI

Papacy: 2005–2013

Theologian; resigned voluntarily.

Learn more