As the world mourns Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, many are reflecting on his 13-year reign marked by humility, love, and service. His tenure made him one of the longer-serving recent popes.
Historically, some popes have had extremely short reigns, marked by sudden deaths and turbulent times:
- Pope Urban VII holds the record for the shortest papacy, lasting just 13 days in 1590 before dying of malaria. Despite his brief reign, he pushed for anti-nepotism reforms and health measures.
- Pope Boniface VI served only 16 days in 896 AD during a chaotic period known as the “dark age” of the papacy.
- Pope Celestine IV reigned for just 17 days in 1241 and died before his consecration, leaving little historical impact.
- Pope Theodore II ruled for 20 days in 897, remembered for restoring the dignity of Pope Formosus after the notorious Cadaver Synod.
- Pope Sisinnius also reigned for only 20 days in 708, with poor health contributing to his early death.
- Pope Marcellus II served for 22 days in 1555, dying of a sudden fever.
- Pope Damasus II led for 23 days in 1048, reportedly succumbing to malaria.
- Pope Pius III lasted 26 days in 1503, with deteriorating health cited as the cause of his death.
- Pope Leo XI, nicknamed the “Lightning Pope,” reigned for 27 days in 1605 before dying of pneumonia.
- Pope Benedict V ruled for 33 days in 964 before being deposed by Emperor Otto I.
- Pope John Paul I, known for his humility and warm style, died after just 33 days in 1978, officially due to a heart attack.
