Ever tried to memorize the names of popes in order? Honestly, it’s a bit of a nightmare. There are 267 of them if you’re counting by the official Vatican yearbook, the Annuario Pontificio. But here is the thing: the history is messy. It's not just a clean list of guys in white hats. You’ve got "antipopes," men who claimed the chair by force, and even a few years where the record is just... blank.
Most people think it starts with Peter and just follows a straight line. Kinda. Sorta. In reality, the early centuries are a blur of Greek and Roman names like Linus, Cletus, and Clement. By the time you get to the Middle Ages, the names start repeating like crazy. If you were a betting person back in the 1200s, you’d put your money on "John" or "Gregory" every single time.
The Early Days: When Names Weren't "Papal"
In the beginning, popes didn't pick a "throne name." They just used whatever their parents called them. St. Peter was Shimon (Simon) bar-Jonah. When Jesus called him "Cephas" or "Peter" (meaning Rock), it wasn't a formal title yet. It was more like a divine nickname.
- St. Peter (c. 30–67): The fisherman from Bethsaida.
- St. Linus (c. 67–76): A Roman from Tuscany.
- St. Anacletus (c. 76–88): Also known as Cletus.
- St. Clement I (c. 88–97): The guy who wrote the famous letter to the Corinthians.
For about 500 years, this was the vibe. You had popes named Telesphorus, Hyginus, and even Zephyrinus. Sounds more like a sci-fi cast than a religious lineup, right? It wasn't until John II in 533 AD that the "name change" tradition really kicked off. Why? Because his birth name was Mercurius. He felt it was a bit awkward to be the head of the Christian Church while named after a pagan Roman god. Fair point.
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Why the Numbers Get So Confusing
If you look at a list of the names of popes in order, you might notice some weird gaps. Specifically, there is no John XX. Seriously. It just jumps from John XIX to John XXI. In the 13th century, some scholars miscounted the previous Johns and skipped a number to "correct" it. They ended up just making it more confusing for everyone else for the next 800 years.
Then there’s the Benedict IX situation. This guy was pope three different times. He kept getting kicked out or selling the office and then coming back. Because of him, the actual number of individuals who have been pope is lower than the total number of pontificates.
The Heavy Hitters: Most Popular Names
- John: Used 21 times (officially).
- Gregory: 16 times.
- Benedict: 15 times.
- Clement: 14 times.
- Leo: 14 times (including the current Leo XIV).
- Innocent: 13 times.
- Pius: 12 times.
Modern Era: From Peter to the First American Pope
The list has changed dramatically in the last century. For a long time, it felt like you had to be Italian to even apply. That changed with John Paul II (Karol Wojtyła) from Poland in 1978. He was the first non-Italian in 455 years. Then we had Benedict XVI from Germany, and Francis from Argentina, who was the first from the Americas.
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And then, history took a massive turn just recently. On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected. He took the name Leo XIV, becoming the very first Pope from the United States. He's originally from Chicago. Imagine that—from the Windy City to the Vatican. It’s a huge shift for a list that used to be dominated by Mediterranean nobility.
The Names Nobody Wants to Touch
You’ll notice some names are basically "retired." No one has ever gone by Peter II. There’s an old superstition (and some prophecies) that "Peter the Roman" will be the last pope before the end of the world. So, out of respect—or maybe just a little bit of fear—no one touches it.
You also don't see many "unique" names anymore. For a thousand years, it was almost always a repeat of a predecessor. When Francis picked his name in 2013, it was a shock. It was the first time a pope used a completely new name since Pope Lando way back in 913 AD.
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Recent Popes in Order
- Paul VI (1963–1978): Managed the massive changes of Vatican II.
- John Paul I (1978): Only lasted 33 days. A "double name" for the first time ever.
- John Paul II (1978–2005): One of the longest reigns in history.
- Benedict XVI (2005–2013): The first to resign in nearly 600 years.
- Francis (2013–2025): Focused on the poor and the environment.
- Leo XIV (2025–Present): The Chicago-born Augustinian making history right now.
Actionable Tips for Keeping It Straight
If you’re trying to study the names of popes in order for a history project or just personal interest, don’t try to memorize the whole thing at once. It's too much.
Break it down by eras. Look at the "Greats" first: Leo I, Gregory I, and Nicholas I. Then look at the "Pius era" from the late 1700s to the 1950s—there are a lot of them.
Check out the Annuario Pontificio if you want the official Vatican stance, but keep a side tab open for the "Antipopes." History is written by the winners, and the papal list is no exception. Sometimes the "wrong" guy was actually in charge for a few years, but he doesn't get a number on the official tally. Understanding the why behind those gaps makes the names much easier to remember than just staring at a list of numbers.
Start with the 20th century. It’s the most documented and has the biggest impact on the world we live in today. From there, you can work your way back to the chaos of the Middle Ages.