You’ll probably see the changing over of Popes at least once in your life time, but how does the Supreme Pontifical leader get chosen? The College of Cardinals; the most prominent officials in the Catholic Church hold a Papal election known as a Conclave where they decide who is to be the next leader. The maximum number of cardinals in this prestigious group is 120 men and anyone over the age of 80 are not allowed to participate in the voting. The importance of this group is crucial as they are the governing body of the Church from the moment a Pope passes away or resigns till the election of a new Pope. With over 265 Popes throughout the years, there lives both infamous Pope’s who were fierce and warrior like and then there was the more humble, studious Popes. So, who are the most charitable and gracious Popes in history?
St. Peter
Often regarded as the first Pope, St. Peter was named by Jesus himself as ‘the rock of my church’ and it is from St. Peters liturgy that the Catholic Church was born. He spread the word globally until he finally established roots in Rome, where the head of the Catholic Church still resides today. He is known to have performed the first miracle after Jesus and was the main figure after his death, imperative in the continuation and growth of his teachings. His spirit lives on today through the entire Catholic world, with 5 feast festivals dedicated to him. Known as the first leader in the early church movement, he is now the patron saint of locksmiths and fishermen, a homage to his previous role before meeting Jesus.
Pope Leo I
The next Pope on this list is well remembered for his diplomacy, and urgency for human rights. Born into an aristocratic family, while he was acting as Pope, he singlehandedly convinced one of the world’s greatest warriors- Attila the Hun- from invading Rome, a massive feat in itself. After the sacking of Rome, he was also imperative in the re-building of the city, and never let the power deter him from his mission. At a time when there were many heresies that were threatening the sanctity of Catholicism, Pope Leo I is regarded as one of the most significant leaders in the Church history from his ability to resolve disputes that would arise between different groups. He was gracious, a truly great Pope in history who used his power never for greed or malicious intent, but for the people. He was canonised as a saint after his death and remains known as Leo the Great.
Pope Gregory I
Born in 540AD in Rome, Pope Gregory I was born into an influential family and had an ancestor who was a Pope as well. He excelled in his studies, being a master of law and eventually was given the title of Prefect of Rome. He considered himself a servant of God and is the only Pope in history who had his beginnings as a monk. His life’s work was missionary and he is noted to have played an important part in sending missionaries to newly Christianized Britain at the time. He was generous with Papal funds and was known to have given much of it to the poor, making it his mission to ensure that all clergy members were meeting the needs of the poor. Because of his popularity, immediately after death he was canonised as a saint and his relics now reside in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope John XXIII
Halting his religious training to volunteer as a military chaplain in World War I, by the time World War II came to pass, he was beneficial in aiding Jews who were seeking refuge from the Nazi’s by issuing transit visas. As the oldest Pope to be elected at the age of 76, many didn’t realize the massive strides he would make during his time as leader. A strong advocate for world peace and human rights, he was awarded the International Balzan Foundation prize in 1962. When he passed away from cancer in 1963, the world was left in mourning for the kind hearted and holiest of Popes. In 2000, he was canonised as a saint for his dedication for the faith and the humility he displayed during his life.
Pope John Paul II
In 1978, the first ever Polish Pope was elected. His name was Karol J. Wojtyla and he remains one of the most cherished Popes due to his generous nature and kind heart. Living through World War Two in Poland, this Pope was witness to unimaginable tragedies at the hands of cruel dictators and worked hard in the future to create a peaceful union between countries. He was a firm believer in the power and stance of women in society and played a significant role in breaking down the Iron Curtain and building relationships back up with Russia. He is fondly remembered as ‘The Great Pope’ and remained sovereign until his death in 2005.
Pope Francis
The current Pope is unlike his predecessors due to his strong advocacy in political matters as well as environmental ones such as climate change. The first of his name, Pope France is humble, and has a deep passion for helping the poor, as evident by the saint he chose his name from; St. Frances of Assisi. The first Pope from Argentina, he is currently breaking long held traditions like choosing to stay in a simple apartment unlike all other Popes who stayed in the luxurious Apostolic Palace. He is known for his compassion and is much more progressed in his ways of thinking on topics that have long been regarded as controversial in the Catholic Church. More notably is his digression on climate change and the significance he places on global social justice issues. He is admired by officials around the world, such as Barrack Obama who commented kindly when Francis became Pope, due to his accepting nature of communities that the Catholic Church had previously ignored or criticized.
Recommended Vatican Tours: Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
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