The history of the Catholic Church is rich with an apostolic succession spanning over two millennia. The pontiffs, commonly known as popes, have led the Church through epochs of tumultuous change, influencing not only the faith of the faithful but also global historical events. This list presents the popes in descending order, providing a glimpse into the timeline of leaders of the Catholic Church, from the most recent days to its earliest centuries of existence.

• Today

  Pope Francis

  2013 - Present

• 2005 - 2013

  Pope Benedict XVI

  Benedict XVI was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013.

• 1978 - 2005

  Pope John Paul II

  John Paul II was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005.

• 1978

  Pope John Paul I

  John Paul I was the pontiff of the Catholic Church in 1978.

• 1963 - 1978

  Pope Paul VI

  Paul VI was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1963 to 1978.

• 1958 - 1963

  Pope John XXIII

  John XXIII was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1958 to 1963.

• 1939 - 1958

  Pope Pius XII

  Pius XII was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1939 to 1958.

• 1922 - 1939

  Pope Pius XI

  Pius XI was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1922 to 1939.

• 1914 - 1922

  Pope Benedict XV

  Benedict XV was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1914 to 1922.

• 1903 - 1914

  Pope Pius X

  Pius X was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1903 to 1914.

• 1878 - 1903

  Pope Leo XIII

  Leo XIII was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1878 to 1903.

• 1846 - 1878

  Pope Pius IX

  Pius IX was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1846 to 1878.

• 1831 - 1846

  Pope Gregory XVI

  Gregory XVI was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1831 to 1846.

• 1829 - 1830

  Pope Pius VIII

  Pius VIII was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1829 to 1830.

• 1823 - 1829

  Pope Leo XII

  Leo XII was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1823 to 1829.

• 1800 - 1823

  Pope Pius VII

  Pius VII was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1800 to 1823.

• 1775 - 1799

  Pope Pius VI

  Pius VI was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1775 to 1799.

• 1769 - 1774

  Pope Clement XIV

  Clement XIV was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1769 to 1774.

• 1758 - 1769

  Pope Clement XIII

  Clement XIII was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1758 to 1769.

• 1740 - 1758

  Pope Benedict XIV

  Benedict XIV was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1740 to 1758.

• 1730 - 1740

  Pope Clement XII

  Clement XII was the pontiff of the Catholic Church from 1730 to 1740.