History of the Apostolic Succession
Papal Statistics
A considered look at the people, milestones, and reigns that have shaped the history of the papacy.
Historical records · Papal succession · Reign milestones
The current pontificate
Pope Leo XIV: Augustinian Spirituality, Papal Succession, and the Modern Church
Discover the life, ministry, and historical record of the Pope currently marked as serving in the Chair of Peter.
In office since 2025
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At a glance
The papacy by the numbers
A snapshot of the published records currently held in the Catholic Popes archive.
25
Published profiles in the papal archive.
Explore the archive24
Popes marked as saints in the editorial records.
Explore saint Popes14
Popes recorded as martyrs in the archive.
Explore martyr Popes24
Profiles with valid start and end dates recorded.
Based on dated recordsHistorical milestones
Notable papal records
Explore notable points in the succession and the longest and shortest reigns represented by dated records.
Saint Peter the Apostle: Life, Papal Primacy, and Theological Legacy
0030–0067
First Pope in the recorded succession.
Read profile Saints of the papacyPope Saint Sixtus II
0257–0258
Most recent saint Pope in the current archive order.
Read profile Longest recorded reignSaint Peter the Apostle: Life, Papal Primacy, and Theological Legacy
0030–0067
Recorded duration: 37 Years 9 Days
Read profile Shortest recorded reignPope Saint Anterus
0235–0236
Recorded duration: 43 Days
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