Countries That Have Produced the Most Popes (Updated After Pope Francis’ Death)

The passing of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, marked the end of an extraordinary papacy. His death did not only shake the Catholic world but also drew our attention to the long and fascinating history of the papacy itself. Over two millennia, popes have come from different corners of Europe, shaping the Church’s direction and its influence on the world.

But which countries have produced the most popes in history? Let’s look at these them below.

Italy

• Number of Popes: Over 200

• Why so many? For centuries, Italy was at the heart of the Catholic Church, with the papacy based in Rome. Local influence and political power meant that Italians overwhelmingly dominated papal elections.

France

• Number of Popes: 16

• Notes: France produced a significant number of popes, particularly during the Middle Ages. The most famous period is the Avignon Papacy (1309 – 1377), when the papal seat temporarily moved to France.

Greece

• Number of Popes: 13

• Notes: Many early popes came from regions that are today part of Greece. In the early centuries of Christianity, the Church had strong ties to the Eastern Mediterranean.

Germany

• Number of Popes: 8

• Notes: Germany’s contribution includes Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger), who reigned from 2005 until his resignation in 2013. He was the first pope in centuries to step down voluntarily.

Syria

• Number of Popes: 6

• Notes: In the early centuries, several popes hailed from regions of the Middle East, reflecting the spread of Christianity beyond Rome.

Other Notable Countries

• Spain – 5 popes

• North Africa (modern-day Tunisia, Algeria, Libya) – 5 popes combined

• Poland – 1 pope (John Paul II, 1978 – 2005), one of the most beloved modern pontiffs.

• Argentina – 1 pope (Francis, 2013 – 2025), the first pope from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere.

Fun and Surprising Facts About Popes

In addition to the history of the papacy being about solemn traditions and spiritual leadership, it’s also filled with surprising and sometimes quirky facts that show how diverse the role of pope has been over two millennia.

The Youngest Pope in History

Pope Benedict IX is believed to have become pope as a teenager. According to records, he possibly became pope when he was 12 years old, around the year 1032. His reign was turbulent, and he is remembered as one of the most controversial popes ever.

The Only Pope to Resign (Before Benedict XVI)

Pope Celestine V, elected in 1294, resigned after just five months, feeling overwhelmed by the demands of the position. His decision set a rare precedent, later echoed by Benedict XVI.

The First Jesuit Pope

Pope Francis made history as the first Jesuit pope. The Jesuits are a Catholic order known for their focus on education, missionary work, and intellectual tradition.

The Shortest Papacy

Pope Urban VII holds the record for the shortest reign. He served as pope for only 13 days in 1590 before his death via malaria.

There Has Never Been a Confirmed Black Pope

Although three early popes reportedly came from Roman North Africa (Victor I, Miltiades, and Gelasius I) none are confirmed to have been Black. Historians generally believe they were of Berber, Roman, or Mediterranean descent. To this day, the Catholic Church has not had a pope of Sub-Saharan African heritage, though Africa plays an increasingly important role in the modern Church.