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papacy: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As bishop of Rome

Photos and Videos

Vatican City: St. Peter's Basilica
Infographic featuring a central illustration of a pope, surrounded by labeled facts such as the total number of popes, most common papal names, oldest and youngest elected, longest and shortest reigns, number of popes made saints, official titles, and origins by country.
A pyramid diagram illustrating the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church, with levels from top to bottom: Pope, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, and Laypeople and Consecrated Religious, each with a brief description of their roles.
St. Gregory the Great
The crowning of Charlemagne
Expulsion of Pope Gregory VII and excommunication of King Henry IV
Innocent III: one of the youngest popes to ascend the throne
St. Peter's Basilica with its large dome rises above surrounding buildings in Vatican City, viewed from the rooftop of Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome, Italy.
Pope John Paul II in red and white papal robes and mitre, holding a silver staff and raising his hand in blessing during a public event in Coventry, England.
Certifying the pope's death
Who was St. Peter the Apostle?
History of the Avignon Papacy
The Western Schism and the Roman Catholic Church
How Is a Pope Elected?
How Pope Francis guided the Roman Catholic Church?
See All Videos, Images and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics
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Key People

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Anacletus
antipope
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Christopher
duke of Württemberg
St. Gregory the Great
St. Gregory the Great
pope
Cesare Borgia
Cesare Borgia
Italian noble
Alexander III
Alexander III
pope
Choiseul, Étienne-François de Choiseul, duc de
Étienne-François de Choiseul, duke de Choiseul
French foreign minister
Pelagius I
Pelagius I
pope
Innocent II, detail from a mosaic, 12th century; in the apse of the basilica of Sta. Maria in Trastevere, Rome
Innocent II
pope
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Saint Sergius I
pope
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Saint Symmachus
pope
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Saint Hippolytus of Rome
antipope
Liberius
Liberius
pope
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Benedict IX
pope
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Sergius III
pope
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Paschal II
pope
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Blessed Victor III
pope
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Sergius II
pope
Giovanni de' Medici
Giovanni de’ Medici
Italian leader
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Benedict
antipope
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Myron C. Taylor
American financier and diplomat

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Saint Gregory I or Gregory the Great (c. 540-604), pope from 590 to 604. Undated copperplate engraving by Adrian Collaert (c.1520-67).
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