Of the 262 Popes since Linus I succeeded St. Peter in A.D. 67, 45 did not survive a year after their election. Six were murdered; one died of wounds received in the course of the Guelph-Ghibelline civil wars; one, John XXI, 1277, was killed by a falling ceiling.
Thirteen Popes did not serve even as long as John Paul. The shortest reign of all was that of a priest named Stephen. Elected Pope in 752, he died three days later, before consecration, and so is not officially a Pope. But he is remembered because of...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
