Ranking of Popes with the Longest Reigns in History

This chart ranks the popes who served the longest in Catholic Church history. The longest-reigning pope was Saint Peter, the first pope, who held the position for 34 years. In more modern times, Pope Pius IX and Pope John Paul II served over 31 and 26 years respectively. The chart includes each pope’s reign duration, start and end dates, and their names.

Ranking of Popes with the Longest Reigns in History

This chart ranks the popes who served the longest in Catholic Church history.

The Pope is the supreme leader of the Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome. He is also the head of the Vatican City State and serves as a spiritual leader to over a billion Catholics worldwide, guiding them in matters of faith and morals.

The pope is the highest authority in the Catholic Church and plays a central role in religious, political, and social matters throughout history. The duration of a papal reign is not just a measure of time but reflects the stability and leadership strength of the Vatican during that period.

According to the chart, Saint Peter tops the list with a reign of about 34 years, from 30 AD to 64 AD. As the first pope and a central figure in the New Testament, his lengthy service is a cornerstone of Catholic tradition, though historical records from that era are based largely on tradition.

In more recent centuries, Pope Pius IX reigned for 31 years and 245 days after being elected in 1846. He is known for proclaiming the dogma of papal infallibility and convening the First Vatican Council. Following him is Pope John Paul II, who served from 1978 to 2005 for a total of 26 years and 176 days. His influence extended beyond the Church, notably impacting the fall of communism in Eastern Europe.

The chart reveals that many long-serving popes appeared in the 19th and 20th centuries, likely due to political stability and advancements in healthcare. In contrast, earlier centuries were marked by plagues, wars, and political upheaval, often leading to shorter papacies.

The inclusion of exact start and end dates enables deeper historical analysis. For example, Pope Leo XIII’s 25-year reign overlapped with the Industrial Revolution and rising social movements. Earlier popes, like those from the 4th and 5th centuries, served during the decline of the Roman Empire and the official establishment of Christianity.

This data provides valuable insights into how the papacy evolved over time, reflecting broader historical changes and showing how different popes responded to the challenges of their era. It also highlights the enduring role of the papacy as both a religious and political institution.

Rank	Name	Indicator	Subindicator
1st Pope	Saint Peter	34 years	30 ~ 64
255th Pope	Pius IX	31 years 245 days	June 1846 ~ February 1878
264th Pope	John Paul II	26 years 176 days	October 1978 ~ April 2005
256th Pope	Leo XIII	25 years 156 days	February 1878 ~ July 1903
250th Pope	Pius VI	24 years 202 days	February 1775 ~ August 1799
95th Pope	Adrian I	23 years 335 days	February 772 ~ December 795
251st Pope	Pius VII	23 years 165 days	March 1800 ~ August 1823
170th Pope	Alexander III	21 years 364 days	September 1159 ~ August 1181
33rd Pope	Sylvester I	21 years 340 days	January 314 ~ December 335
45th Pope	Leo I	21 years 48 days	September 440 ~ November 461
235th Pope	Urban VIII	20 years 364 days	August 1623 ~ July 1644
96th Pope	Leo III	20 years 175 days	December 795 ~ June 816
243rd Pope	Clement XI	20 years 122 days	November 1700 ~ March 1721
260th Pope	Pius XII	19 years 227 days	March 1939 ~ October 1958
15th Pope	Zephyrinus	18 years 358 days	199 ~ December 217
176th Pope	Innocent III	18 years 195 days	January 1198 ~ July 1216
160th Pope	Paschal II	18 years 166 days	August 1099 ~ January 1118
196th Pope	John XXII	18 years 124 days	August 1316 ~ December 1334
37th Pope	Damasus I	18 years 77 days	October 366 ~ December 384
59th Pope	Vigilius	18 years 75 days	March 537 ~ June 555