Historical Verification of the Succession (Jesus to St. Peter to Leo XIV)?

Who started the Catholic Church? Jesus. When some people ask this, they don’t want the proper answer, which is really just one word. They want to know if something like Papal succession is reasonably there or not, historically, since we’re talking about 2,000 years of history. Below is a deep dive into the Papal Succession List, whi lists all of the people who followed in line, to and from Peter and the church he started from Jesus. That list is also the last end note of this piece if you want to see it. Luckily for us we live in an era of the internet where we can just ask ChatGPT to organize and research the list and get back to us the truth of the matter. Enjoy:

1. Matthew 16:18–19
   “You are Peter… I will give you the keys of the kingdom… whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.”
   Glue: Jesus gives Peter a distinct authority (“keys,” binding/loosing) that Catholics read as foundational for the Petrine office.
2. Luke 22:31–32
   “Simon, Simon… I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren.”
   Glue: Jesus ties Peter’s role to a promise of sustaining grace and a duty to confirm the others.
3. 2 Timothy 2:2
   “What you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
   Glue: This is the cleanest “succession” verse: a deliberate chain of transmission across generations (Paul → Timothy → faithful men → others).
4. John 16:13
   “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…”
   Glue: This supplies the “power and grace through the process” piece: the Church’s handing-on isn’t mere human bureaucracy, but a Spirit-governed continuation of apostolic teaching.

Origins of the Papal Succession List

The list of popes beginning with Saint Peter is deeply rooted in early Christian history and documentation. As per the Church’s tradition, Jesus designated Simon Peter as the first Bishop of Rome, making him the first pope[1]. Early Church writers confirm the line of succession from Peter onward – for example, St. Irenaeus around 180 AD enumerated the bishops of Rome from Peter through Eleutherius (Pope c.174–189) to defend the Church’s apostolic continuity[2]. Likewise, a 4th-century catalog known as the Liberian Catalogue (compiled 354 AD) lists the popes from Peter up to Pope Liberius (reigned 352–366), with dates and notes for each[3]. These ancient sources show that early Christians carefully preserved the sequence of Roman bishops, solidifying the historical core of the papal succession list.

Crucially, early lists sometimes had minor discrepancies that were corrected by later historians. One example is the 3rd Pope: various sources gave his name as “Cletus” or “Anacletus.” It was unclear if these referred to the same man or two different popes. Modern scholarship and the official Vatican list treat Cletus/Anacletus as one person (Saint Anacletus, also called Cletus) who succeeded Linus and preceded Clement I[4]. (Older medieval catalogs had mistakenly split him into two entries, but this duplication was later recognized as a copyist’s error[4].) Aside from such minor name variants, the overall chronological list from St. Peter onward is well attested. Each Pope is generally considered the legitimate Bishop of Rome of his time, in unbroken succession. This continuous lineage is a cornerstone of Catholic tradition – visually symbolized in places like the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls in Rome, where portraits of every pope from Peter to today line the walls in order[5][6].

Canonical List vs. Antipopes and Numbering Anomalies

The Catholic Church’s official list of popes deliberately excludes antipopes (rival claimants not accepted as legitimate) and makes a few adjustments for historical anomalies. The enumerated list provided (Peter through Leo XIV) was described as “excluding antipopes,” which aligns with the Vatican’s approach. Below, we verify key points about contested papal claims and numbering quirks to show the list corresponds with reality:

• Pope-elect Stephen (752): After Pope Zachary died in 752, a priest Stephen was elected his successor. However, Stephen died just days after election and before being consecrated. At the time, a man only became Pope upon consecration; thus Stephen was never officially pope – only a pope-elect. For centuries, some lists still counted this Stephen and even called him Stephen II, causing later Stephens to increment their numbers[7][8]. The Catholic Church corrected this in 1961 by removing the unconsecrated Stephen from the papal roster[8]. In the modern official list, the Stephen who reigned 752–757 is now “Stephen II” (instead of III) since the aborted 752 papacy is excluded[8]. The provided list already reflects this fix – it does not count the ill-fated Pope-elect Stephen as “Stephen II.”
• Antipopes (illegitimate claimants): Throughout history, periods of schism produced rival claimants to the papal office. The official succession ignores those who lacked canonical legitimacy or lasting acceptance. For example, in 903 AD a figure named Christopher seized the papal throne, but he is now regarded as an antipope; thus, he is omitted from official lists[9]. The provided list rightly jumps from Leo V (903) to Sergius III (904) with no “Pope Christopher,” mirroring the Church’s view that Christopher was not a true pope[9]. Similarly, Boniface VII – a rogue who twice occupied Rome in the 970s and 980s – is excluded as an antipope in modern reckoning. Notably, however, his ordinal number “VII” was never reused by a legitimate Pope Boniface; thus the next real Boniface in 1294 took the name Boniface VIII, implicitly acknowledging the historical episode of the antipope Boniface VII[10].
• The case of Benedict IX: Pope Benedict IX (1032–1048) is unique for reigning three separate times. He was pope as a young man, then resigned (and even sold the papacy), only to reclaim the office twice amid the upheavals of the mid-11th century. Chronologically, Benedict IX held the pontificate in 1032–1044, again in 1045, and yet again in 1047–1048[11][12]. Each interval ended with a different successor or rival assuming the papal throne. Comprehensive lists of popes therefore list Benedict IX’s name three times to mark each distinct papal term[13][14]. (He is the same person, but each term is a separate historical papacy.) The provided succession list partially reflects this by listing “Benedict IX” twice; however, it missed his brief third tenure (1047–1048), which should be included for accuracy[14]. In official chronology, Benedict IX’s third term is counted, and he is followed by Pope Damasus II in 1048 as the next pope[14]. Accounting for this, the numbering of subsequent popes shifts by +1. (In other words, Pope Francis is properly the 266th pope, and Leo XIV the 267th, once Benedict IX’s three reigns are fully counted[15][16].)
• Other numbering quirks: Over two millennia, a few papal names have odd numbering due to mistaken history. For instance, there is no Pope John XX. This gap arose because John XIV (983–984) was long mistakenly counted twice (some medieval catalogs thought there was an extra John between XIV and XV)[17]. By the time the mistake was discovered, a 13th-century pope innocently took the regnal name John XXI, assuming XX had been used[17]. The numbering was never corrected, so the sequence jumps from John XIX to John XXI, with John XX absent. Likewise, there are no Popes Martin II or III; what happened is that two 9th-century popes named Marinus were erroneously listed in some sources as “Martinus” (Martin II and III), so when a real Pope Martin came along in 1281, he styled himself Martin IV[18]. The official list today retains these quirks – no John XX, no Martin II/III – because those numbers were historically bypassed. Another minor example: Pope Felix III (483–492) is sometimes called Felix II in older texts because the second “Felix” was actually an antipope (355 AD). Modern references usually label the legitimate Felixes according to true sequence (Felix I, III, IV…), skipping the antipope’s numeral[19]. All these nuances have been standardized in the current Annuario Pontificio (the official Vatican yearbook), ensuring that the numbering in the provided list aligns with the Church’s recognized count.
• Included contested popes: A few popes whose legitimacy was once debated are included in the official lineup. For example, Pope Leo VIII (963–965) and Pope Benedict V (964) were rival claimants during a crisis – at one point Leo VIII was an imperial appointee and Benedict V was elected by Romans. Ultimately, both appear in the papal succession (Leo VIII followed by Benedict V) since Leo’s status as pope was later acknowledged after Benedict V acquiesced and was deposed[20][21]. Another is Sylvester III (1045): he was installed while Benedict IX was forced out. Although later deposed and sometimes called an antipope, Sylvester III is counted as an official pope of 1045 in most modern lists[13]. On the other hand, Benedict X (1058), who was elected in a disputed conclave, is excluded as an antipope today; the Church recognizes Nicholas II (1059) as the next legitimate pope after Stephen IX, numbering Nicholas as Pope 155 (not 156) to skip Benedict X[22][23]. These decisions explain why older historical catalogs might differ slightly, but the list given here adheres to the corrected official roster.

Modern Papacy and Current Pope

The continuity of the papal line has carried into the present with Pope Leo XIV, the current Bishop of Rome (as of this writing). He succeeded Pope Francis in 2025. According to news reports, Pope Francis died in April 2025, ending a papacy noted for its reforms and global outreach[24][1]. The conclave that followed elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, who took the regnal name Leo XIV. Leo XIV was inaugurated in May 2025 as the 267th pope from St. Peter’s line[16]. He is historically significant as the first American-born pope and the first member of the Augustinian order to become pope[25]. The provided list correctly identifies Leo XIV as the latest pope, though, as noted, he would be the 267th successor of Peter when counted with the most up-to-date enumeration[16].

Pope Leo XIV is presented with a newly completed mosaic portrait of himself, destined for display in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls among the medallions of all previous popes[5][26]. This longstanding tradition highlights the Church’s belief in an unbroken succession from St. Peter to the present.

In summary, the list of popes from Peter through Leo XIV is historically accurate[i] and consistent with the Catholic Church’s official records. All 266 popes up to Francis are accounted for in order[1][15], and Pope Leo XIV now continues the line as the 267th Bishop of Rome[16]. Minor discrepancies in older sources (such as the case of Pope-elect Stephen in 752, or the multiple reigns of Benedict IX) have been resolved in modern lists so that the sequence given here corresponds to the reality documented by historians and the Vatican. Each name in the list has a basis in recorded history, forming a continuous chain linking the present-day Catholic Church to its apostolic beginnings[27][18].

Sources

• Catholic Encyclopedia (1911). “Chronological Lists of Popes.” New Advent. Discusses early papal lists and explains omissions/duplications in numbering[4][28].
• Catholic Encyclopedia (1911). “Chronological Lists of Popes.” (cont’d). Notes on anomalies (e.g. missing John XX, treatment of Stephen of 752, etc.)[29][18].
• Times of India. “From St. Peter to Pope Francis: Full list of popes” (Apr. 21 2025). Provides a numbered list of the 266 popes up to Francis, consistent with Vatican counting[1][15].
• Vatican News. “Biography of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost.” (May 2025). Confirms Leo XIV as the 267th Pope and gives background on his election[16][25].
• Vatican News. “Pope Leo’s mosaic portrait ready for St. Paul Outside the Walls.” (Jan. 2026). Describes the tradition of installing each pope’s portrait in the basilica’s series, including Leo XIV’s addition[5][26].
• Additional references: Wikipedia’s “List of Popes” (updated 2026) for cross-verification of chronological details and numbering notes[17][18]; Catholic Encyclopedia entries on specific popes (e.g. Felix II/III) for numbering clarifications[19]. These confirm that the succession list given aligns with recognized historical data and corrections.

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[1] [9] [14] [15] [21] [23] [24] From St. Peter to Pope Francis: Full list of popes – The Times of India

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/from-st-peter-to-pope-francis-full-list-of-popes/articleshow/120489360.cms

[2] [3] [4] [20] [27] [28] [29] CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Chronological Lists of Popes

https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12272a.htm

[5] [6] [26] Pope Leo’s mosaic portrait ready for Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls – Vatican News

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-01/mosaic-of-pope-leo-xiv-for-basilica-of-st-paul-outside-the-wall.html

[7] Pope-elect Stephen – Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope-elect_Stephen

[8] [10] [11] [12] [13] [17] [18] [22] List of popes – Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_popes

[16] [25] Biography of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost – Vatican News

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/biography-of-robert-francis-prevost-pope-leo-xiv.html

[19] CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Pope St. Felix III – New Advent

https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06030b.htm

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[i] Yes: Jesus chose Peter, and Peter’s successors are the bishops of Rome (the popes), he wasn’t the only apostle chosen by Jesus to start a church, Paul is another famous example outside the 12, so is novel… But even he helped Peter. That’s for another post tho…

Here’s the full succession list copy and pasted from GPT (official popes, excluding antipopes; current pope is Leo XIV). (Vatican News)

1. Peter
2. Linus
3. Anacletus (Cletus)
4. Clement I
5. Evaristus
6. Alexander I
7. Sixtus I
8. Telesphorus
9. Hyginus
10. Pius I
11. Anicetus
12. Soter
13. Eleuterus
14. Victor I
15. Zephyrinus
16. Callixtus I
17. Urban I
18. Pontian
19. Anterus
20. Fabian
21. Cornelius
22. Lucius I
23. Stephen I
24. Sixtus II
25. Dionysius
26. Felix I
27. Eutychian
28. Caius
29. Marcellinus
30. Marcellus I
31. Eusebius
32. Miltiades
33. Sylvester I
34. Mark
35. Julius I
36. Liberius
37. Damasus I
38. Siricius
39. Anastasius I
40. Innocent I
41. Zosimus
42. Boniface I
43. Celestine I
44. Sixtus III
45. Leo I (the Great)
46. Hilary
47. Simplicius
48. Felix III
49. Gelasius I
50. Anastasius II
51. Symmachus
52. Hormisdas
53. John I
54. Felix IV
55. Boniface II
56. John II
57. Agapetus I
58. Silverius
59. Vigilius
60. Pelagius I
61. John III
62. Benedict I
63. Pelagius II
64. Gregory I (the Great)
65. Sabinian
66. Boniface III
67. Boniface IV
68. Adeodatus I
69. Boniface V
70. Honorius I
71. Severinus
72. John IV
73. Theodore I
74. Martin I
75. Eugene I
76. Vitalian
77. Adeodatus II
78. Donus
79. Agatho
80. Leo II
81. Benedict II
82. John V
83. Conon
84. Sergius I
85. John VI
86. John VII
87. Sisinnius
88. Constantine
89. Gregory II
90. Gregory III
91. Zachary
92. Stephen II
93. Paul I
94. Stephen III
95. Adrian I
96. Leo III
97. Stephen IV
98. Paschal I
99. Eugene II
100. Valentine
101. Gregory IV
102. Sergius II
103. Leo IV
104. Benedict III
105. Nicholas I
106. Adrian II
107. John VIII
108. Marinus I
109. Adrian III
110. Stephen V
111. Formosus
112. Boniface VI
113. Stephen VI
114. Romanus
115. Theodore II
116. John IX
117. Benedict IV
118. Leo V
119. Sergius III
120. Anastasius III
121. Lando
122. John X
123. Leo VI
124. Stephen VII
125. John XI
126. Leo VII
127. Stephen VIII
128. Marinus II
129. Agapetus II
130. John XII
131. Leo VIII
132. Benedict V
133. John XIII
134. Benedict VI
135. Benedict VII
136. John XIV
137. John XV
138. Gregory V
139. Sylvester II
140. John XVII
141. John XVIII
142. Sergius IV
143. Benedict VIII
144. John XIX
145. Benedict IX
146. Sylvester III
147. Benedict IX (again)
148. Gregory VI
149. Clement II
150. Damasus II
151. Leo IX
152. Victor II
153. Stephen IX
154. Nicholas II
155. Alexander II
156. Gregory VII
157. Victor III
158. Urban II
159. Paschal II
160. Gelasius II
161. Callixtus II
162. Honorius II
163. Innocent II
164. Celestine II
165. Lucius II
166. Eugene III
167. Anastasius IV
168. Adrian IV
169. Alexander III
170. Lucius III
171. Urban III
172. Gregory VIII
173. Clement III
174. Celestine III
175. Innocent III
176. Honorius III
177. Gregory IX
178. Celestine IV
179. Innocent IV
180. Alexander IV
181. Urban IV
182. Clement IV
183. Gregory X
184. Innocent V
185. Adrian V
186. John XXI
187. Nicholas III
188. Martin IV
189. Honorius IV
190. Nicholas IV
191. Celestine V
192. Boniface VIII
193. Benedict XI
194. Clement V
195. John XXII
196. Benedict XII
197. Clement VI
198. Innocent VI
199. Urban V
200. Gregory XI
201. Urban VI
202. Boniface IX
203. Innocent VII
204. Gregory XII
205. Martin V
206. Eugene IV
207. Nicholas V
208. Callixtus III
209. Pius II
210. Paul II
211. Sixtus IV
212. Innocent VIII
213. Alexander VI
214. Pius III
215. Julius II
216. Leo X
217. Adrian VI
218. Clement VII
219. Paul III
220. Julius III
221. Marcellus II
222. Paul IV
223. Pius IV
224. Pius V
225. Gregory XIII
226. Sixtus V
227. Urban VII
228. Gregory XIV
229. Innocent IX
230. Clement VIII
231. Leo XI
232. Paul V
233. Gregory XV
234. Urban VIII
235. Innocent X
236. Alexander VII
237. Clement IX
238. Clement X
239. Innocent XI
240. Alexander VIII
241. Innocent XII
242. Clement XI
243. Innocent XIII
244. Benedict XIII
245. Clement XII
246. Benedict XIV
247. Clement XIII
248. Clement XIV
249. Pius VI
250. Pius VII
251. Leo XII
252. Pius VIII
253. Gregory XVI
254. Pius IX
255. Leo XIII
256. Pius X
257. Benedict XV
258. Pius XI
259. Pius XII
260. John XXIII
261. Paul VI
262. John Paul I
263. John Paul II
264. Benedict XVI
265. Francis
266. Leo XIV (Vatican News)

Note: some older lists used to include “Pope-elect Stephen” (752) as a pope, but he is not counted in the official list today. (ecatholic2000.com) But, we discussed that above.