Across the course of history, the papacy has been home to leaders whose tenures have had a lasting impact on the Catholic Church and the world at large. While some popes have held their office for just a brief moment, others have served for decades, leading millions through periods of transformation and difficulty. The following list profiles the longest-reigning popes in history, giving readers a glimpse into the men whose leadership defined centuries of religious and cultural evolution. Whatever motivation came from stability, strength, or happenstance, these papacies are known for their astounding length of time. Look at the names, dates, and histories of the popes who were titled the longest of any.
Pope Francis , head of the Catholic Church, dies after serving almost 12 years
Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, died Monday at the age of 88 due to a stroke and cardiac arrest. The sudden death left many surprised, especially since he had been out in public a few days ago before Easter Sunday. During the event, he was spotted welcoming huge crowds at St. Peter's Square via an open-air popemobile, indicating a recovery. Francis was the first Latin American pope when he was elected on March 13, 2013, to succeed Pope Benedict XVI. His papacy of almost 12 years made a profound impact on the Church and the world.
Who was the longest-serving pope in history
Historically, St. Peter, the first pope, is said to have had the longest papacy, with an estimated 34-year reign. Historians contest this argument as the actual starting date of St. Peter's papacy is not recorded, thereby precluding his papacy from being confirmed. Notwithstanding this doubt, the Catholic Church acknowledges him as the inaugural pope, and his papacy continues to be symbolic for the religion.
Thereby, looking back to the history, below is the list of longest reigning popes who have been recorded according to the popehistory.com list
Historical list of the longest-serving popes
10 Longest tenured popes in history
Saint Peter (30–64 or 67): 34 or 37 Years
Saint Peter is usually regarded as the first pope of the Roman Catholic Church and the longest-reigning leader in papal history. Church tradition holds that Peter started his papacy sometime in 30 AD and ruled until his martyrdom, which happened between 64 and 67 AD. This makes his reign approximately 34 to 37 years long.
Aside from being the longest-reigning pope, Saint Peter is considered one of the most pivotal personalities in Christianity and is also called the "rock" on which the Church was established. His leadership in the Church's initial and most trying years was the precursor to the institution's worldwide expansion and enduring influence.
Pius IX (1846–1878) – 31 years, 7 months, 23 days
Pius IX is the longest papacy. He was pope for 31 years, 7 months, and 23 days. He began his papacy in 1846 and concluded it when he died in 1878. Pius IX stands apart from all other popes because he served during the time of Vatican I, when canonically the infallibility doctrine of the pope was settled. His reign was also characterized by the Vatican City declared to be a sovereign state and the Papal States lost.
John Paul II (1978–2005) – 26 years, 5 months, 18 days
John Paul II was the most respected and loved pope of our times and he ruled for 26 years, 5 months, and 18 days. His years were between 1978 and his death in 2005. John Paul II had achieved a deep transformation, particularly through his appeal for peace, resistance to communism in Eastern Europe, and defense of human rights. His global journeys overseas and attempts to update Church doctrine left a lasting legacy on the world's Catholics.
Leo XIII (1878–1903) – 25 years, 5 months, 1 day
Pope Leo XIII was the ruler for 25 years, 5 months, and 1 day, from 1878 to 1903. He is defined by his efforts to make the Church accommodate the modern age, especially with respect to the problem of social justice and the rights of workers. He is best remembered via his encyclical Rerum Novarum, which wrote about the plight of the laborers and the role of the Church toward the poor and oppressed.
Pius VI (1775-1799) – 24 years, 6 months, 15 days
Pope Pius VI ruled for 24 years, 6 months, and 15 days from 1775 to 1799. His papacy was characterized by gigantic political revolutions such as the French Revolution and its ubiquitous sequelae. Pius VI was one of the best Napoleonic Wars generals and was eventually captured by Napoleon's army, imprisoned, and eventually passed away.
Adrian I (772–795) – 23 years, 10 months, 25 days
Adrian I was pope during 772–795, serving for 23 years, 10 months, and 25 days. During his papacy, he remained a steadfast ally of the Carolingian Empire, especially in the formation of an alliance with Charlemagne. He also fought to defend the papacy against outside attack and to portray the image of the Church within politics in Europe.
Pius VII (1800–1823) – 23 years, 5 months, 7 days
Pope Pius VII reigned for 23 years, 5 months, and 7 days from 1800 until 1823. He is most remembered during his papacy for his dealings with Napoleon Bonaparte. Pius VII excommunicated Napoleon notoriously when Napoleon seized the papal states. Pius VII was incarcerated by Napoleon before being freed after Napoleon died. Pius VII labored diligently to revive the power of the papacy and reconstructed Church institutions in doing so.
Alexander III (1159–1181) – 21 years, 11 months, 24 days
Alexander III lasted for 21 years, 11 months, and 24 days from 1159 until 1181. During his papacy, he is reported to have endeavored centralizing papal power and towards defense of the Church from the secular princes. Alexander III also struggled against the internalized conflicts such as with Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I, and headed the attempt to seal the battle over the English archbishops' election.
Sylvester I (314–335) – 21 years, 11 months, 1 day
Pope Sylvester I’s papacy lasted for 21 years, 11 months, and 1 day, from 314 to 335. He is traditionally regarded as the pope during the reign of Emperor Constantine, who legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire through the Edict of Milan. While Sylvester's direct influence on these events is unclear, his papacy coincided with significant changes in the status of Christianity in the empire.
Leo I (440–461) – 21 years, 1 month, 13 days
Pope Leo I, otherwise referred to as Leo the Great, ruled 21 years, 1 month, and 13 days between the years of 440-461. Pope Leo I is perhaps most known for being among the best of popes ever of the Church for having decreed Christ's nature at the Council of Chalcedon in the year 451. Leo I also became famous due to his diplomatic endeavours and efforts towards declaring the powers of a pope and negotiating diplomacy, such as with Attila the Hun so as not to plunder Rome.
Also Read | Women of this tribe bath only once in their lifetime, yet stay clean - the reason might surprise you
Pope Francis , head of the Catholic Church, dies after serving almost 12 years
Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, died Monday at the age of 88 due to a stroke and cardiac arrest. The sudden death left many surprised, especially since he had been out in public a few days ago before Easter Sunday. During the event, he was spotted welcoming huge crowds at St. Peter's Square via an open-air popemobile, indicating a recovery. Francis was the first Latin American pope when he was elected on March 13, 2013, to succeed Pope Benedict XVI. His papacy of almost 12 years made a profound impact on the Church and the world.
Who was the longest-serving pope in history
Historically, St. Peter, the first pope, is said to have had the longest papacy, with an estimated 34-year reign. Historians contest this argument as the actual starting date of St. Peter's papacy is not recorded, thereby precluding his papacy from being confirmed. Notwithstanding this doubt, the Catholic Church acknowledges him as the inaugural pope, and his papacy continues to be symbolic for the religion.
Thereby, looking back to the history, below is the list of longest reigning popes who have been recorded according to the popehistory.com list
Historical list of the longest-serving popes
10 Longest tenured popes in history
Saint Peter (30–64 or 67): 34 or 37 Years
Saint Peter is usually regarded as the first pope of the Roman Catholic Church and the longest-reigning leader in papal history. Church tradition holds that Peter started his papacy sometime in 30 AD and ruled until his martyrdom, which happened between 64 and 67 AD. This makes his reign approximately 34 to 37 years long.
Aside from being the longest-reigning pope, Saint Peter is considered one of the most pivotal personalities in Christianity and is also called the "rock" on which the Church was established. His leadership in the Church's initial and most trying years was the precursor to the institution's worldwide expansion and enduring influence.
Pius IX (1846–1878) – 31 years, 7 months, 23 days
Pius IX is the longest papacy. He was pope for 31 years, 7 months, and 23 days. He began his papacy in 1846 and concluded it when he died in 1878. Pius IX stands apart from all other popes because he served during the time of Vatican I, when canonically the infallibility doctrine of the pope was settled. His reign was also characterized by the Vatican City declared to be a sovereign state and the Papal States lost.
John Paul II (1978–2005) – 26 years, 5 months, 18 days
John Paul II was the most respected and loved pope of our times and he ruled for 26 years, 5 months, and 18 days. His years were between 1978 and his death in 2005. John Paul II had achieved a deep transformation, particularly through his appeal for peace, resistance to communism in Eastern Europe, and defense of human rights. His global journeys overseas and attempts to update Church doctrine left a lasting legacy on the world's Catholics.
Leo XIII (1878–1903) – 25 years, 5 months, 1 day
Pope Leo XIII was the ruler for 25 years, 5 months, and 1 day, from 1878 to 1903. He is defined by his efforts to make the Church accommodate the modern age, especially with respect to the problem of social justice and the rights of workers. He is best remembered via his encyclical Rerum Novarum, which wrote about the plight of the laborers and the role of the Church toward the poor and oppressed.
Pius VI (1775-1799) – 24 years, 6 months, 15 days
Pope Pius VI ruled for 24 years, 6 months, and 15 days from 1775 to 1799. His papacy was characterized by gigantic political revolutions such as the French Revolution and its ubiquitous sequelae. Pius VI was one of the best Napoleonic Wars generals and was eventually captured by Napoleon's army, imprisoned, and eventually passed away.
Adrian I (772–795) – 23 years, 10 months, 25 days
Adrian I was pope during 772–795, serving for 23 years, 10 months, and 25 days. During his papacy, he remained a steadfast ally of the Carolingian Empire, especially in the formation of an alliance with Charlemagne. He also fought to defend the papacy against outside attack and to portray the image of the Church within politics in Europe.
Pius VII (1800–1823) – 23 years, 5 months, 7 days
Pope Pius VII reigned for 23 years, 5 months, and 7 days from 1800 until 1823. He is most remembered during his papacy for his dealings with Napoleon Bonaparte. Pius VII excommunicated Napoleon notoriously when Napoleon seized the papal states. Pius VII was incarcerated by Napoleon before being freed after Napoleon died. Pius VII labored diligently to revive the power of the papacy and reconstructed Church institutions in doing so.
Alexander III (1159–1181) – 21 years, 11 months, 24 days
Alexander III lasted for 21 years, 11 months, and 24 days from 1159 until 1181. During his papacy, he is reported to have endeavored centralizing papal power and towards defense of the Church from the secular princes. Alexander III also struggled against the internalized conflicts such as with Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I, and headed the attempt to seal the battle over the English archbishops' election.
Sylvester I (314–335) – 21 years, 11 months, 1 day
Pope Sylvester I’s papacy lasted for 21 years, 11 months, and 1 day, from 314 to 335. He is traditionally regarded as the pope during the reign of Emperor Constantine, who legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire through the Edict of Milan. While Sylvester's direct influence on these events is unclear, his papacy coincided with significant changes in the status of Christianity in the empire.
Leo I (440–461) – 21 years, 1 month, 13 days
Pope Leo I, otherwise referred to as Leo the Great, ruled 21 years, 1 month, and 13 days between the years of 440-461. Pope Leo I is perhaps most known for being among the best of popes ever of the Church for having decreed Christ's nature at the Council of Chalcedon in the year 451. Leo I also became famous due to his diplomatic endeavours and efforts towards declaring the powers of a pope and negotiating diplomacy, such as with Attila the Hun so as not to plunder Rome.
Also Read | Women of this tribe bath only once in their lifetime, yet stay clean - the reason might surprise you
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