In over a century, the Catholic Church has had 10 popes, who led the church with over 1.4 billion members across the globe at different times between 1903-2025.

Pope Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, over a decade after he emerged as leader of the Catholic Church in 2013, became the 10th pope in the past 122 years.

From Pope Pius X, who emerged as leader of the Catholic Church in 1903 to Pope Francis who recently passed away, Peoples Gazette presents a list of Catholic pontiffs in over a century.

1. Pope Pius X, who became leader of the Catholic Church in 1903, served for about 11 years before he died in 1914.

2. Pope Benedict XV succeeded Pope Pius X, serving for seven years from 1914 until 1922.

3. Pope Pius XI, took over Catholic Church leadership serving from 1922-1939.

4. Pope Pius XII succeeded Pius XI, serving for about 19 years between 1939-1958.

5. Pope John XXIII emerged as Catholic Church leader in 1958. He served for five years till 1963.

6. Paul VI, who took over from Pope John XXIII in 1963, led the Catholic Church for 15 years until 1978.

7. Pope John Paul I took over in 1978 and died in the same year after just 33 days. He is the shortest-serving Catholic Church Pope in history.

8. Pope John Paul II took over from John Paul, the shortest-serving pontiff, in 1978, serving for 27 years as the longest-serving pope before he died in 2005.

9. Pope Benedict XVI, served just three years between 2005-2013. He retired on health grounds, paving the way for Pope Francis’ emergence.

10. Pope Francis took over the Catholic Church leadership mantle from 2013 to 2025 until his death on Easter Monday morning. 

Meanwhile, the search for a new pontiff is underway as cardinals rally to either strengthen the deceased Pope Francis’ legacy or make a detour. African candidates are expected to feature on the list.