The new pontiff is the first Pope Francis, but there have been many Johns, Gregorys and Benedicts. Here is a look at the most prolific papal names:
-
John
21 -
Gregory
16 -
Benedict
15 -
Clement
14 -
Innocent
13 -
Leo
13 -
Pius
12 -
Stephen
9 -
Boniface
8 -
Urban
8 -
Alexander
7 -
Adrian
6 -
Paul
6 -
Celestine
5 -
Nicholas
5 -
Sixtus
5 -
Anastasius
4 -
Eugene
4 -
Honorius
4 -
Sergius
4 -
Callistus
3 -
Felix
3 -
Julius
3 -
Lucius
3 -
Martin
3 -
Sylvester
3 -
Victor
3 -
Agapetus
2 -
Damasus
2 -
Gelasius
2 -
John Paul
2 -
Marcellus
2 -
Marinus
2 -
Paschal
2 -
Pelagius
2 -
Theodore
2 -
Other
46
NOTE: Numbers add up to 264; Benedict IX was pope three different times, but is counted in this chart once. This list does not include the pope often called Stephen II, who died before being consecrated as pope. In earlier times, rivals who defied the pope would take names as if they were pope. These "antipopes" are not included.
SOURCES: New York Times, newadvent.org
Patrick Garvin/Globe Staff