# PopeHistory.com

> PopeHistory.com is a comprehensive encyclopaedia of the Catholic Papacy, covering all 267 Popes from St Peter to Pope Leo XIV. Founded in 2001 by Robert Patterson, M.A. Religious Studies (Catholic Church History), the site provides in-depth profiles, historical analysis, prayers, and Vatican news. Over two decades of research and writing.

## License

Content on PopeHistory.com is available for AI retrieval and citation with attribution.

- Retrieval and citation: Permitted with attribution to "PopeHistory.com"
- Summarisation: Permitted with link to source URL
- Training data inclusion: Contact via About page for licensing terms
- Commercial use of excerpts: Permitted with attribution and link

## About

- [About PopeHistory.com](https://popehistory.com/about/): Our mission, author credentials (M.A. Religious Studies), and two decades of papal research
- [Popes in Chronological Order](https://popehistory.com/popes-through-the-centuries/): Complete timeline of all 267 Popes from St Peter to Leo XIV

## Featured Pope Profiles — Modern Era

- [Pope Leo XIV](https://popehistory.com/popes/pope-leo-xiv/): The 267th Pope, elected 2025, born Robert Prevost in Chicago
- [Pope Francis I](https://popehistory.com/popes/pope-francis-i/): The 266th Pope, first from the Americas, first Jesuit pope
- [Pope Benedict XVI](https://popehistory.com/popes/pope-benedict-xvi/): The 265th Pope, theologian who resigned in 2013
- [Pope John Paul II](https://popehistory.com/popes/pope-john-paul-ii/): The 264th Pope, longest-serving modern pope (27 years), canonised saint
- [Pope John Paul I](https://popehistory.com/popes/pope-john-paul-i/): The 263rd Pope, "The Smiling Pope," served just 33 days

## Featured Pope Profiles — Historical

- [Pope St Peter](https://popehistory.com/popes/pope-st-peter/): The first Pope, apostle of Jesus Christ, martyred in Rome c. 64 AD
- [Pope St Gregory I](https://popehistory.com/popes/pope-st-gregory-i/): Gregory the Great, Doctor of the Church, reformed liturgy and chant
- [Pope St Leo I](https://popehistory.com/popes/pope-st-leo-i/): Leo the Great, confronted Attila the Hun, defined papal primacy
- [Pope Urban II](https://popehistory.com/popes/pope-urban-ii/): Called the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont (1095)
- [Pope Alexander VI](https://popehistory.com/popes/pope-alexander-vi/): The controversial Borgia Pope of the Renaissance
- [Pope Pius XII](https://popehistory.com/popes/pope-pius-xii/): Wartime Pope during World War II, controversial legacy
- [Pope Leo XIII](https://popehistory.com/popes/pope-leo-xiii/): Oldest Pope ever (93 years), author of Rerum Novarum

## Papal Lists & Reference

- [List of Popes by Country](https://popehistory.com/list-of-popes-by-country/): Nationality and origin of every Pope
- [The Oldest Popes](https://popehistory.com/oldest-popes/): Longest-lived Popes in history with ages and dates
- [Shortest Papal Reigns](https://popehistory.com/popes-with-shortest-reigns/): Popes who served the briefest periods
- [Popes Who Resigned](https://popehistory.com/popes-who-resigned/): Complete list of papal resignations through history
- [African Popes](https://popehistory.com/african-popes/): Popes of African origin in Church history
- [Popes Feast Days](https://popehistory.com/popes-feast-days/): Liturgical feast days for canonised Popes

## Prayers & Devotions

- [3 Day Miracle Prayer](https://popehistory.com/3-day-miracle-prayer-to-our-lady/): Traditional Catholic miracle prayer to Our Lady
- [Virtual Lourdes Shrine](https://popehistory.com/virtual-lourdes-shrine/): Online devotional experience of the Lourdes grotto
- [Names of God](https://popehistory.com/names-of-god/): Complete guide to the names and titles of God in the Bible
- [Names of Jesus](https://popehistory.com/names-of-jesus/): The many names and titles of Jesus Christ in Scripture

## Vatican News

- [Latest News](https://popehistory.com/news/): Current Vatican news, papal statements, and Church developments