You’d think in 2,000 years, someone would’ve tried it. We have 23 Johns, 16 Gregorys, and a whole line of Piuses. But when you look for the name Peter, the list just... stops.
It’s the ultimate "one and done" in history.
Honestly, it’s one of those weird trivia facts that feels like it should have a more complicated answer than it does. If you’re looking for a quick number: there has been exactly one Pope Peter. That’s it. Just the fisherman from Galilee who started the whole thing.
The Mystery of Why There is Only One Pope Peter
Why haven't we seen a Peter II? There isn't some secret Vatican law written in blood that forbids it. Technically, a cardinal could walk out of a conclave tomorrow and tell the world he wants to be called Pope Peter II. But they don't.
Basically, it comes down to a mix of deep-seated humility and a very old, very spooky prophecy.
Most historians and theologians, like the folks over at Catholic Answers, suggest it’s almost entirely about respect. In the Catholic world, St. Peter is "The Rock." Taking his name would be like a rookie basketball player demanding to wear number 23 on the Bulls. It’s just too much pressure. It feels arrogant.
Even popes who were actually named Peter at birth usually change it. Take Pope John XIV (983–984). His given name was Pietro Canepanova. When he got elected, he looked at his name and basically said, "No way." He chose John because he didn't feel worthy of sharing a title with the first apostle.
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What About the "Peter the Roman" Prophecy?
Then you’ve got the Saint Malachy factor.
This is where things get a little "Da Vinci Code." Back in the 12th century, Saint Malachy allegedly had a vision of every future pope. He wrote down short Latin phrases for each one. The very last one on the list? Petrus Romanus, or Peter the Roman.
According to the prophecy, this final Peter will lead the Church through its final persecution before Rome is destroyed and the "dreadful judge" arrives.
Is the prophecy real? Most historians say it’s a 16th-century forgery. The Vatican doesn't take it as gospel. But if you’re a cardinal sitting in a room about to be elected the most powerful man in the Catholic Church, do you really want to be the guy who tests that theory? Probably not.
Have There Been Any "Fake" Pope Peters?
Now, if we’re being picky, there have been a few "Peter IIs," but they weren't exactly official.
In the world of "antipopes" and breakaway sects, the name is actually quite popular. It's a way for people who claim to be the real pope to show they have the ultimate authority.
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- The Palmarian Church: This is a group in Spain that broke away from the Vatican in the 70s. They’ve had a Pope Peter II (Manuel Alonso Corral) and even a Pope Peter III.
- Sedevecantists: These are various small groups that believe the current Vatican is "empty" or invalid. You’ll find a handful of men in places like Pennsylvania or Europe who have declared themselves Peter II.
In the eyes of the 1.3 billion mainstream Catholics, though, these guys don't count. They aren't on the official list in the Annuario Pontificio.
The Name Change Tradition
It wasn't always normal for popes to change their names. For the first few hundred years, they just used their birth names. Linus, Cletus, Clement—those were just the names on their birth certificates.
The shift happened around 533 AD with a guy named Mercurius. He realized having a name after a Roman god (Mercury) was a bit of a bad look for a Christian leader. So, he became John II.
By the time the name-changing custom became standard in the 10th century, the "No Peter" rule was already a solid unwritten tradition.
Why the Name Peter Matters So Much
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church."
The name Peter (Petros) literally means rock. For Catholics, this isn't just a name; it’s a job description. Every pope since then is considered a successor to that specific role. Most pontiffs feel that while they can inherit the office, they shouldn't inherit the name that was specifically given by Jesus to one man.
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It’s worth noting that other "big" names are also avoided. You don't see any Pope Andrews or Pope Jameses either, though Peter is the most conspicuously absent.
What Happens if a Future Pope Chooses Peter?
If a guy comes along and decides to be Peter II, the world would likely go into a bit of a frenzy.
First, the "end times" crowd would have a field day with the Malachy prophecy. Social media would be a disaster. Within the Church, it would be seen as a massive shift in tone—likely signaling a pope who wants to return to the very "basics" of the early church or, conversely, someone with a very high view of their own authority.
But for now? The count remains at one.
The list of popes is long, reaching from Peter to the current day, but that first slot remains the only one occupied by a man with that name. It’s a 2,000-year-old streak of humility that doesn't look like it’s going to break anytime soon.
Next Steps for History Buffs:
If you want to see the official lineage for yourself, you can check out the Liber Pontificalis (The Book of Popes) or the latest edition of the Annuario Pontificio. It's a fascinating look at how these names have shifted from simple Roman and Greek names to the dynastic titles like Leo, Benedict, and Pius that we recognize today.