When and who was the first pope?
As the capital of the empire, Rome is also a natural centre for the growing church. Unlike any other Christian see, Rome can put at least a name to every bishop in an unbroken line back to the 1st century of the Christian era and to St Peter himself as the first pope.
When did the first pope start?
Of the 266 Popes listed below, 88 came from Rome and the majority (196) came from Italy. Gregory V (3 May 996 – 18 February 999) was the first German Pope before Benedict XVI.
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All the popes – full list.
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All the popes – full list.
| Start year | 1605 |
|---|---|
| End year | 1621 |
| English name | Paul V |
| Place of birth | Rome, Papal States |
| Age at start of papacy | 52 |
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Feb 13, 2013
