The modern popes: Get to know the 11 popes before Francis

(OSV News) -- The following is a snapshot of the papacies of the 11 popes that preceded Pope Francis, from Pope Benedict XVI to Blessed Pope Pius IX.

Pope Benedict XVI: Brilliant humility
(r. 2005-2013)
Pope Benedict XVI, who died Dec. 31, 2022, at 95, was far more than the pope who resigned, although he was the first to do so in nearly 600 years. A towering figure in the church for over half a century, Joseph Ratzinger shaped Catholic thought as an innovative theologian, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and ultimately as pope. A key architect of the church's post-Vatican II path, he championed continuity over rupture, resisting secular trends like relativism. Ordained a priest in 1951, he rose to prominence during Vatican II and later helped draft the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Elected pope in 2005, Benedict emphasized the harmony of faith and reason and sought reform rooted in tradition. Though criticized over the church's handling of clergy abuse scandals, he was among the first Vatican officials to take decisive action. After resigning in 2013, he lived in quiet prayer until his death.

Pope St. John Paul II: Witness to the world
(r. 1978-2005)
Pope St. John Paul II, who led the church from 1978 to 2005, was a towering figure of faith, intellect and global influence. A charismatic philosopher, athlete, poet and fierce opponent of communism, the Polish-born Karol Wojtyla brought vigor and vision to a world and church in need of hope. He championed orthodoxy, human dignity and moral truth, famously urging Catholics to "Be not afraid." His 104 international trips, pivotal role in the fall of Soviet communism, and efforts to strengthen Catholic-Jewish relations marked his historic pontificate. His stances on sexuality, women's ordination and centralized authority received both celebration and criticism, yet his leadership reshaped the modern church. He authored landmark encyclicals, advanced ecumenical dialogue and oversaw the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. After recovering from being shot in 1981, he resumed his strenuous schedule, but starting in the early 1990s he suffered visibly from Parkinson's. He died April 2, 2005. Canonized in 2014, he remains a defining figure of the post-Vatican II era.

Blessed Pope John Paul I: The September pope
(r. Aug. 26-Sept. 28, 1978)
Cardinal Albino Luciani took the name John Paul I to honor his two predecessors. Known for his humility, simplicity and radiant smile, he was seen as a pastoral figure who could lift the church's spirits after Pope St. Paul VI's difficult final years. Born in northern Italy in 1912, Luciani served as bishop of Vittorio Veneto, participated in Vatican II and became patriarch of Venice. A strong advocate for catechesis and social justice, he supported "Humanae Vitae" while emphasizing patience and compassion. Though his papacy lasted only 33 days before his sudden death, he had outlined a six-point vision centered on renewal, unity and peace. His unassuming style and rejection of papal pomp won admiration, though confusion around his death fueled conspiracy theories. Despite his short tenure, Pope John Paul I left a legacy of gentleness and humility. His cause for sainthood was opened in 1990. He was beatified in 2002.

Pope St. Paul VI: Prophet for the modern world
(r. 1963–1978)
Pope St. Paul VI, born Giovanni Battista Montini in 1897, was a complex and dutiful leader whose papacy helped shape the modern church amid turbulent times. A former Vatican diplomat and close aide to Pope Pius XII, Pope Paul VI brought deep institutional knowledge and pastoral experience to the role. He guided the Second Vatican Council to its conclusion, championed global outreach through historic papal travels, and sought unity with the Orthodox Church. His 1968 encyclical "Humanae Vitae," reaffirming the Church's stance against artificial birth control, sparked widespread dissent. Despite suffering from comparison with his charismatic predecessor, Pope St. John XXIII, Pope Paul VI remained faithful to his mission, often torn between progressive and conservative impulses. He decried the spiritual confusion of the era, famously warning of the "smoke of Satan" entering the church. Beatified in 2014 and canonized in 2018, his legacy is now viewed as prophetic, pastoral and foundational to the post-conciliar church.

Pope St. John XXIII: Joyful prophet of renewal
(r. 1958-1963)
Pope John XXIII, born Angelo Roncalli in 1881, was elected pope at age 77, widely expected to be a transitional figure. Instead, his humility, warmth and vision reshaped the church through the Second Vatican Council, which he convened in 1962 to engage the modern world with renewed faith and clarity. A peasant's son and experienced diplomat, Roncalli had served in war zones and helped Jews during WWII. As pope, he broke with formality, welcomed diverse voices, and promoted unity and peace. His landmark encyclicals "Mater et Magistra" and "Pacem in Terris" advanced Catholic social teaching, emphasizing workers' rights, human dignity and global cooperation. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, he played a quiet but crucial mediating role. He died of cancer in 1963, having set the church on a bold path of "aggiornamento" (updating) and "ressourcement" (return to sources). Canonized in 2014, he is remembered as a joyful, pastoral pope with a heart for justice and reform.

Pope Pius XII: An age in arms
(r. 1939-1958)
Pope Pius XII, born Eugenio Pacelli in 1876, was elected pope on the eve of World War II. A skilled diplomat with deep experience in Vatican foreign affairs, he had helped shape church policy in response to Nazism and Communism. Though maintaining wartime neutrality, Pope Pius XII condemned totalitarian ideologies, aided Jews and refugees, and acted as a diplomatic channel between the Allies and anti-Hitler Germans. After the war, he resisted Communist expansion in Eastern Europe and intervened in Italian elections to prevent a Communist victory. Doctrinally, he advanced biblical scholarship and liturgical reform, and in 1950 infallibly defined the assumption of Mary. His critics question whether he spoke out forcefully enough against the Holocaust, though many contemporaries -- including Jewish leaders -- praised his efforts to save lives. Despite controversy, Pope Pius XII is recognized for his moral leadership during a time of global crisis. He was declared "venerable" by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.

Pope Pius XI: Stalwart witness to true order
(r. 1922-1939)
Pope Pius XI led the church through turbulent years marked by global depression, rising totalitarian regimes and fierce anti-Catholic persecution. Born Ambrogio Ratti in 1857 near Milan, he was a scholar and Vatican diplomat before becoming pope. A strong, no-nonsense leader, he promoted Catholic Action, defended marriage and education, and issued key encyclicals: "Casti Connubii" on family life, "Quadragesimo Anno" on social justice, and "Mit Brennender Sorge" condemning Nazi doctrines and Catholic persecution. He also protested Fascist repression in Italy and Communism's dehumanizing effects. Pope Pius XI helped resolve the "Roman question" with the Lateran Treaty, making Vatican City a sovereign state. He established the feast of Christ the King, emphasizing Christ's universal kingship, and canonized saints such as St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Thomas More. As war loomed, he used diplomacy, moral authority and media to confront evil. He died in 1939 after years of resisting regimes addicted to violence and oppression.

Pope Benedict XV: Forgotten pope of peace
(r. 1914-1922)
Pope Benedict XV, elected as World War I erupted, is often overlooked but was a compassionate and prescient leader during one of history's darkest chapters. A seasoned diplomat, he remained neutral during the war, calling it a "useless massacre" and urging peace through proposals emphasizing reconciliation over punishment. Though ignored by world powers, his appeals laid moral groundwork for future diplomacy. Pope Benedict's humanitarian efforts included help for prisoners of war, wounded soldiers and civilians, straining Vatican resources. He also reformed church law by promulgating the first Code of Canon Law and issued the encyclical "Maximum Illud," calling for indigenous clergy in missionary work. His 1919 meeting with U.S. President Woodrow Wilson highlighted his commitment to peace, even as Versailles' punitive treaty ignored his warnings. Pope Benedict died in 1922, largely forgotten until Pope Benedict XVI hailed him as a "courageous and authentic prophet of peace." His legacy endures as a voice of compassion amid global conflict.

Pope St. Pius X: Fighting a changing culture
(r. 1903-1914)
Pope St. Pius X is best remembered for his pastoral heart and resolute defense of the church against rising secularism and modernist theology. His motto, "Instaurare omnia in Christo" ("To restore all things in Christ"), guided a pontificate marked by courage and reform. He battled France's aggressive secularism, resisting laws that stripped the church of property and influence, while also taking a firm stand against modernism, which he condemned in the encyclical "Pascendi Dominici Gregis" and the decree "Lamentabili Sane Exitu." Though criticized for his harshness, his efforts were aimed at preserving orthodoxy in a rapidly changing world. Beyond controversy, Pope Pius X promoted catechesis, restored sacred music and encouraged frequent Communion, lowering the age for first Communion to the age of reason. He died shortly after World War I began and was canonized in 1954. His legacy is one of spiritual renewal and steadfast fidelity.

Pope Leo XIII: Father of social doctrine
(r. 1878-1903)
Pope Leo XIII laid the foundation for modern Catholic social teaching with his landmark 1891 encyclical "Rerum Novarum," addressing the rights and dignity of workers in the face of industrialization. Defending private property while affirming workers' rights to fair wages, unions and humane conditions, Pope Leo positioned the church as a moral voice in economic matters. Born Gioacchino Pecci in 1810, Pope Leo had a long ecclesiastical career before becoming pope. Though elected as a transitional pope due to his age and health, he served for 25 years, the third-longest papacy in history. He encouraged a revival of Thomistic philosophy and warned against excessive nationalism and secularism, especially in his letter "Testem Benevolentiae," which addressed concerns about "Americanism." While conservative in piety, Pope Leo's leadership marked a shift toward engaging modern society with reasoned faith. His teaching legacy, especially "Rerum Novarum," continues to shape Catholic social thought today.

Blessed Pope Pius IX: Transforming the papacy
(r. 1846-1878)
Blessed Pope Pius IX was a transformative yet controversial figure who shaped the modern papacy. Initially a liberal reformer, he became a staunch defender of tradition as Italy's nationalist movements stripped the papacy of its temporal power. Despite political losses, Pope Pius IX expanded the pope's spiritual and moral authority, defining the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854 and overseeing the First Vatican Council (1869–1870), which proclaimed papal infallibility and primacy. His 1864 Syllabus of Errors condemned modern ideologies like rationalism, naturalism and socialism, drawing fierce criticism from the secular world. During his leadership, however, the papacy would come to draw deep loyalty from Catholics. Known as the "Prisoner of the Vatican" after losing Rome to Italian troops, Pope Pius IX nevertheless became a global Catholic symbol. His personal warmth and wit endeared him to many, contributing to his beatification by Pope St. John Paul II in 2000. His 31-year reign remains the longest in papal history.