The papacy has existed for nearly 2,000 years, with each pope shaping history through doctrine, diplomacy, and sometimes drama. From foundational changes in Church policy to scandals and bold theological moves, the papacy has shaped global history for nearly two millennia—but 2025 marks a new chapter. With the death of Pope Francis in April and the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope from Chicago, the world turns its eyes once again to the Vatican. But Pope Leo XIV is just the latest in a long and complex lineage. These 30 popes—counted down from #30 to #1—left indelible marks on the Catholic Church and the world, including theological revolutions, political showdowns, and more.
30. Pope Francis (2013-2025)
The first Jesuit and South American pope, Pope Francis, is known for his humility, focus on social justice, and environmental advocacy. He has called for reform within the Curia, emphasized interfaith dialogue, and issued Laudato Si’, a groundbreaking encyclical on climate change. His progressive tone has sparked both admiration and controversy among Catholics.
29. Pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013)
A conservative theologian, Benedict XVI shocked the world by resigning—the first pope to do so in nearly 600 years. His tenure was marked by deep theological writings and efforts to address the sex abuse crisis. A German scholar, he emphasized traditional Catholic doctrine and faced criticism for mishandling abuse cases during his leadership.
28. Pope John Paul II (1978-2005)
One of the longest-reigning popes, John Paul II, played a pivotal role in ending communism in Eastern Europe, especially in his native Poland. He was a globe-trotting ambassador for Catholicism, canonized more saints than any pope before him, and survived an assassination attempt. He also held conservative stances on sexuality and women’s ordination.
27. Pope John Paul I (1978)
Known as the “Smiling Pope,” John Paul I served for only 33 days before his sudden death. His short papacy sparked conspiracy theories due to the Vatican Bank scandal at the time. He was admired for his warm and pastoral style, and his dual name honored his two predecessors, John XXIII and Paul VI.
26. Pope Paul VI (1963-1978)
Paul VI implemented the Second Vatican Council’s reforms, modernizing the Church’s liturgy and promoting ecumenism. His encyclical Humanae Vitae reaffirmed the Church’s stance against contraception, causing widespread dissent among Catholics. Despite criticism, he worked tirelessly to bridge the gaps between the Church and the modern world.
25. Pope John XXIII (1958-1963)
Often referred to as “Good Pope John,” Pope John XXIII shocked the Catholic world by calling the Second Vatican Council, which reshaped the Church’s approach to worship, authority, and engagement with the modern world. Known for his focus on peace, social justice, and inclusion, his reforms made him beloved worldwide. He was canonized in 2014.
24. Pope Pius XII (1939-1958)
Pius XII led the Church during World War II and has been heavily scrutinized for his silence on the Holocaust. Defenders claim he worked behind the scenes to help Jews. He defined the dogma of the Assumption of Mary in 1950 and restructured Church governance post-war, consolidating papal authority.
23. Pope Pius XI (1922-1939)
Pius XI signed the Lateran Treaty with Mussolini in 1929, creating the Vatican City State. He condemned fascism, communism, and racism in his encyclicals. He also founded Vatican Radio and strongly promoted Catholic missions. His sudden death occurred shortly before issuing a major anti-Nazi document.
22. Pope Benedict XV (1914-1922)
Overseeing the Church during World War I, Benedict XV tirelessly called for peace and humanitarian aid, though his pleas were largely ignored by world powers. He was one of the first popes to condemn nationalism and urge postwar reconciliation. His legacy also includes modernizing canon law and expanding the Church’s commitment to global missionary efforts.
21. Pope Pius X (1903-1914)
Pius X promoted traditional Catholic practices and opposed modernist theology. He encouraged frequent communion and lowered the age for First Communion. He reformed Church music and initiated a codification of canon law. Canonized in 1954, his anti-modernist stance created lasting divisions in theological circles.
20. Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903)
Leo XIII issued Rerum Novarum in 1891, a foundational document of Catholic social teaching addressing workers’ rights and capitalism. He promoted Thomistic philosophy, opened the Vatican Archives to scholars, and established the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. He sought to reconcile the Church with the modern world while defending papal authority.
19. Pope Pius IX (1846-1878)
Pius IX was the longest-reigning pope, serving for 31 years, and oversaw the First Vatican Council, which defined papal infallibility. In 1854, he declared the Immaculate Conception of Mary dogma. His papacy saw the loss of the Papal States, a staunch resistance to liberalism and modernity, and the strengthening of the Vatican’s global influence.
18. Pope Gregory XVI (1831-1846)
Gregory XVI strongly opposed modern ideologies like democracy, railroads, and secularism. His encyclical Mirari Voscondemned religious freedom and press freedom. He supported missionary expansion but resisted internal reform. His reactionary stance deepened tensions between the Church and modern states.
17. Pope Pius VII (1800-1823)
Pius VII signed a concordat with Napoleon, but was later imprisoned by him for refusing to annul Napoleon’s marriage. After Napoleon’s fall, Pius VII restored the Jesuits, reasserted papal authority, and worked to recover Church lands. He also navigated the complexities of post-revolutionary Europe, striving to rebuild the Church’s influence and stability.
16. Pope Pius VI (1775-1799)
During the French Revolution, Pius VI condemned the Civil Constitution of the Clergy and was eventually taken prisoner by French forces. He died in exile. His resistance to revolutionary reforms made him a martyr-like figure among traditional Catholics and highlighted the Church’s declining political influence.
15. Pope Clement XIV (1769-1774)
Clement XIV is best known for suppressing the Jesuit order under pressure from European monarchs. Though a diplomatic move, it caused internal strife within the Church. He also worked to reduce the Papal States’ financial burden and strengthen the Church’s position in Europe. His sudden death sparked rumors of poisoning, and the Jesuits were later restored under a future pope.
14. Pope Benedict XIV (1740-1758)
One of the most scholarly popes, Benedict XIV, encouraged science, art, and historical research. He promoted fairness in missionary work and cultural sensitivity in China and India. He was also one of the first popes to acknowledge the value of vaccination and supported intellectual pursuits like astronomy and medicine. His enlightened policies set him apart from his era.
13. Pope Innocent XIII (1721-1724)
Financial troubles and ongoing tensions with European monarchs marked Innocent XIII’s short reign. He restricted Jesuit influence, attempting to curb their power in Europe, and struggled with rampant nepotism within the Curia. While less influential than other popes, his efforts to reduce Vatican expenses, limit abuses, and strengthen papal authority left a subtle but lasting mark on Church governance.
12. Pope Clement XI (1700-1721)
Clement XI dealt with the Jansenist controversy and issued the Unigenitus bull condemning its teachings. He also fought to maintain papal influence amid rising secular powers. He supported missionary expansion but faced challenges from disputes regarding Chinese rites, which strained Catholic missions in Asia.
11. Pope Innocent XI (1676-1689)
Innocent XI opposed King Louis XIV’s policies and worked to reform Church finances. Known for personal austerity, he cracked down on corruption and nepotism in the Vatican. He also fought against Turkish expansion in Europe, supporting the defense of Vienna in 1683. Beatified in 1956, he’s seen as a reformer.
10. Pope Urban VIII (1623-1644)
Urban VIII, a member of the influential Barberini family, elevated many relatives to powerful positions, fueling accusations of nepotism. His lavish spending on fortifications and artistic commissions, including Bernini’s work on St. Peter’s Baldachin, left the papacy deeply in debt. Despite controversies, his reign marked a high point in Baroque cultural patronage within the Catholic Church.
9. Pope Paul V (1605-1621)
Paul V completed the grand façade of St. Peter’s Basilica, leaving a lasting architectural legacy in the heart of Catholicism. His papacy was marked by a fierce dispute with the Republic of Venice over clerical immunity and Church property, asserting papal supremacy. He also placed Galileo under watch, wary of challenges to traditional Church doctrine.
8. Pope Sixtus V (1585-1590)
Sixtus V reformed the Roman Curia and laid the foundation for the Vatican’s modern bureaucratic structure. Known for his strict and authoritarian leadership, he launched ambitious public works projects across Rome, including completing the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. He also reorganized the Inquisition, strengthened papal authority, and established the Index of Forbidden Books to combat heresy.
7. Pope Pius V (1566-1572)
Pius V excommunicated Queen Elizabeth I of England and helped form the Holy League, which defeated the Ottoman fleet at the Battle of Lepanto. He also reformed the clergy, enforced the decrees of the Council of Trent, and standardized the Roman Missal. He was canonized for his staunch defense of Catholic orthodoxy.
6. Pope Leo X (1513-1521)
A Medici pope, Leo X is infamous for authorizing the sale of indulgences to fund the rebuilding of St. Peter’s Basilica, a move that directly provoked Martin Luther’s 95 Theses and ignited the Protestant Reformation. Known for his extravagant court and artistic patronage, including support for Raphael, his reign epitomized both the cultural brilliance and moral decline of the Renaissance papacy.
5. Pope Julius II (1503-1513)
Called the “Warrior Pope,” Julius II led military campaigns to expand the Papal States and defend the Church’s territories. He commissioned Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling and initiated the rebuilding of St. Peter’s Basilica. While his political ambition bolstered the papacy’s temporal power, it also intensified calls for reform within the Church.
4. Pope Alexander VI (1492-1503)
Alexander VI, a member of the infamous Borgia family, was widely accused of nepotism, simony, and immorality. His numerous illegitimate children and political maneuvering scandalized Europe. Yet, he also patronized the arts and helped define the Church’s role in the New World through the Treaty of Tordesillas.
3. Pope Innocent III (1198-1216)
One of the most powerful medieval popes, Innocent III, claimed authority over all European monarchs and launched the Fourth Crusade. He organized the Fourth Lateran Council, which mandated annual confession and communion. His influence extended across Europe, reshaping the Church hierarchy and doctrine.
2. Pope Gregory I (590-604)
Gregory the Great reformed the Church’s liturgy (inspiring Gregorian chant), sent missionaries to England, and strengthened papal authority. He emphasized charity, wrote extensively on theology, and laid the groundwork for the medieval papacy. His leadership during the plague and famine earned him lasting reverence.
1. Pope Peter (c. 30-64 AD)
Regarded as the first bishop of Rome and pope, Saint Peter was one of Jesus’s apostles and a foundational figure in Christianity. He played a key role in spreading Christ’s teachings and establishing early Christian communities. Peter was martyred in Rome under Emperor Nero, and his spiritual authority forms the basis for apostolic succession in the Catholic Church.