Pius IX, O.F.S., held the longest pontificate since the 15th century to 2025, with 11,465 days

Key takeaways:

  • Pius IX served the longest papacy from the 15th century to 2025, with 11,465 days, over three decades.
  • John Paul II comes in second with 9,658 days, guiding the Church through some of the most politically charged eras of the 20th century.
  • Leo XIII is third, serving 9,275 days, during a time of major global industrial and philosophical shifts.
  • Only three popes have served more than 9,000 days.
  • Modern popes like Francis I and Paul VI managed to serve over 4,700 and 5,500 days, respectively, reflecting continued longevity in the modern Church.
  • The 17th and 18th centuries saw multiple popes—Urban VIII, Clement XI, and Pius VI—with pontificates exceeding 7,000 days.

The duration of papal reigns varies widely, but Pius IX holds a record that stands tall. He served as pope for 11,465 days, making his the longest pontificate since the 15th century. That’s over 31 years of continuous leadership at the helm of the Catholic Church, a period marked by deep transformations in Europe and the Church’s role within it. Such long-serving popes are rare, with very few crossing the 9,000-day mark.
John Paul II follows with 9,658 days, and Leo XIII with 9,275 days, both reflecting not just longevity but also stability during critical global eras—the Cold War for John Paul II and the industrial era for Leo XIII. Even in modern times, Francis, the most recent pope, spent 4,748 days as pope, placing him among the top long-serving popes.

Source:

TheGuardian Datablog

Period:

2025
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