Papacy | Definition, History, Popes, & Facts - Britannica

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Overview of the papacy

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According to the Annuario Pontificio, the papal annual, there have been more than 260 popes since St. Peter, traditionally considered the first pope. Among these, 83 have been proclaimed saints, as have some antipopes (rival claimants to the papal throne who were appointed or elected in opposition to the legitimate pope).

(Who were the most influential popes in the history of the Roman Catholic Church?)

The Annuario Pontificio does not identify popes by consecutive number, having stated that at times the legitimate succession between multiple claimants was impossible to determine. Most holders of the office have been Roman or Italian, with a sprinkling of other Europeans, including one Pole, and one Latin American pope. All have been male, though the legend of a female Pope Joan appeared in the 13th century.

During the course of the 2,000 years in which the papal system and the practice of electing popes in the papal conclave have evolved, the papacy has played a crucial role in both Western and world history. The history of the papacy can be divided into five major periods:

Holy week. Easter. Valladolid. Procession of Nazarenos carry a cross during the Semana Santa (Holy week before Easter) in Valladolid, Spain. Good Friday Britannica Quiz Christianity Quiz
  • The early papacy: from St. Peter through Pelagius II (until 590)
  • The medieval papacy: from St. Gregory I through Boniface VIII (590–1303)
  • The Renaissance and Reformation papacy: from Benedict XI through Pius IV (1303–1565)
  • The early modern papacy: from St. Pius V through Clement XIV (1566–1774)
  • The modern papacy: from Pius VI (1775 to the 21st century)

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