Honestly, if you'd asked this question a few years ago, the answer would have been a bit of a "well, it's complicated" situation. We had the "two popes" era with Francis and Benedict XVI living just a short walk away from each other in the Vatican gardens. It felt like a glitch in the Matrix of church history. But things have changed fast.
If you are looking for the quick answer to how many popes are there right now, the number is one. Just one.
His name is Pope Leo XIV.
He was elected on May 8, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis in April of that year. If that name sounds unfamiliar, it might be because the world is still getting used to a post-Francis era. For over a decade, the papacy was defined by the "Man in White" from Argentina. Now, the keys have passed to a new man, and the "Emeritus" era that started with Benedict XVI is officially over.
How many popes are there right now and why do people stay confused?
The confusion usually stems from the fact that we recently lived through a historical anomaly. For nearly a millennium, popes didn't just quit. They died in the job. When Benedict XVI stepped down in 2013, he created a title out of thin air: Pope Emeritus.
Suddenly, you had two men wearing white. You had two men being called "Your Holiness." It was weird.
But Benedict XVI passed away on December 31, 2022. Then, Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. With the election of Leo XIV, the "two popes" scenario vanished. There is no "Emeritus" right now. There is no shadow pope. There is only the reigning Bishop of Rome sitting in the Chair of Saint Peter.
The New Guy: Who is Leo XIV?
It’s kinda fascinating to look at who is actually running the show in 2026. Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is an American-born Augustinian. He’s the first American pope, which is a massive deal for the church in the Western Hemisphere.
He’s spent a lot of his first few months dealing with the aftermath of the 2025 Holy Year—a Jubilee year that brought millions of pilgrims to Rome. Basically, he hit the ground running during one of the most chaotic times in the Vatican calendar.
The "Antipope" Rumors and Internet Myths
You’ll occasionally see some wild stuff on TikTok or obscure forums claiming there are secret popes or that the election wasn't valid. These are what the church calls "Sedevacantists" or just plain conspiracy theorists. They might claim that a certain person is the "true" pope in hiding.
Ignore them.
In terms of international law, the 1.4 billion members of the Catholic Church, and the actual diplomatic recognition of the Vatican City State, there is only one. If you're counting people who claim to be pope (like the "popes" of tiny splinter sects in Spain or the hills of Kansas), sure, the number goes up. But in reality? It’s a solo act.
Is there ever more than one pope?
History says yes, but it’s usually a mess. Back in the 1300s, there was a period called the Western Schism. At one point, there were actually three guys claiming to be the pope at the same time. One in Rome, one in Avignon (France), and one in Pisa.
It was a total disaster for the church's credibility. They ended up having to fire (or force out) all of them and start fresh with a new guy just to stop the bickering. That hasn't happened in modern times, and the church has since tightened the rules to make sure a "dual-pope" situation remains a total rarity.
Even when Benedict XVI was alive, he was very clear: "There is only one Pope." He was the retired guy; Francis was the boss.
What happens to the "Power" when a Pope dies?
When Francis died in 2025, for a few weeks, the answer to "how many popes are there right now" was actually zero.
This period is called Sede Vacante (the Seat is Vacant). During this time, the College of Cardinals runs the day-to-day administrative stuff, but they can’t make new laws or change church doctrine. They are essentially caretakers until the white smoke goes up.
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Since Leo XIV was elected in that May 2025 conclave, the vacancy ended. He holds the "Full, Supreme, and Universal" power of the church.
Why this matters for 2026
We are currently in a "reset" phase. Leo XIV is signaling that he wants to focus on the reforms of the Second Vatican Council—what he calls the "guiding star" of the church. He’s moving away from the more centralized, "go-it-alone" style that some cardinals complained about under Francis.
He’s also trying to bridge the gap with conservative Catholics, particularly in the U.S., who felt alienated over the last decade. It’s a delicate balancing act.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you're trying to keep track of the papacy or just want to be the smartest person in the room during a trivia night, here’s the deal:
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- Check the "Annuario Pontificio": This is the official Vatican yearbook. If a name isn't in there as the reigning pontiff, they aren't the pope.
- Watch the White Smoke: The only way the number of popes changes from "zero" back to "one" is through a Conclave.
- Look for the Ring: The Pope wears the "Fisherman’s Ring." When a pope dies or resigns, that ring is destroyed or defaced to signify his authority has ended. Leo XIV has his own unique ring now.
- Follow Official Channels: To avoid the "secret pope" rabbit holes, stick to Vatican News or the USCCB (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops).
The era of multiple men in white is over for now. In 2026, the papacy has returned to its traditional, singular form. One man, one throne, and a whole lot of global challenges to navigate.
To stay updated on the latest decrees or travels of the current pontiff, you can follow the official @Pontifex account on X (formerly Twitter), which Leo XIV continues to use for his daily messages and apostolic exhortations.