Pope Pius IX: The Longest-Reigning Pope and His Struggle for the Church’s Soul
Pope Pius IX (1792–1878) led the Church for 31 years, defending tradition amid revolutions, nationalism, and modern skepticism.
Pope Pius IX (1792–1878) led the Church for 31 years, defending tradition amid revolutions, nationalism, and modern skepticism.
Pope Julius II (1443–1513), the “Warrior Pope,” led military campaigns and boosted Church power and arts during the Renaissance.
Pope Boniface VIII (c.1230–1303) asserted papal supremacy, clashed with France, and launched the first Jubilee amid rising controversy.
Pope Innocent III (c.1160–1216) expanded papal power, led reforms, the Fourth Crusade, and shaped Church-state relations in Europe.
Pope Urban II (1035–1099) launched the First Crusade and led reforms that shaped Church unity and Europe’s religious landscape.
Most famous popes left lasting impact through leadership that shaped the Catholic Church over its 2000-year history.
Pope Leo XIV, elected May 8, 2025, is the first American and Augustinian pope, chosen to lead amid a time of global Church crisis.
Discover the story behind Pope Pius XIII — a self-proclaimed pope whose devotion to tradition sparked reflection within Catholicism.
One of the most influential figures in the history of the Catholic Church, Pope Pius XI, served as the Holy See from 1922 to 1939.
Explore the life and legacy of Pope Pius X, his contributions to the Catholic Church, and his path to sainthood.