Pope Alexander II was the 156th pope, and he held the title from Sept. 30, 1061 until April 21, 1073, serving for 11 years, 203 days until his death.

Pope John Paul II arrived in the U.S. on Monday, Oct. 1, 1979 — touching down in Boston, and stopping in New York, Philadelphia, and Des Moines before arriving in Chicago on Thursday, Oct. 4.

When Pope Callistus II died in 1124, two of the wealthiest Roman families — the Pierleonis and the Frangipanis — went to war over control of the church. ... Borgia became Pope Alexander VI.

Martin Luther 1953 . This classic biopic about the father of the Protestant Reformation stars Irish actor Niall MacGinnis in the titular role, but also features Pope Leo X, as played by Philip Leaver.

Whether it is Francis II, Leo XIV, or a never-before-used name, a new pope's chosen name sends an early signal about his priorities and vision for the Church.

The pope is considered the successor of St. Peter, the first bi From St. Peter to Pope Francis, the history of the papacy in the Catholic Church spans more than two thousand years.

Pope Francis did more for the Polish Church than John Paul II. For the latest news & views from every corner of the world, Worldcrunch Today is the only truly international newsletter. Sign up here .

Pope Alexander VI, born Rodrigo Borgia in 1431 near Valencia, was one of two Spanish popes in the 15th century. The nephew of the first, Pope Callixtus III, Alexander was elected in 1492 amid ...

Pope Alexander II was the 156th pope, and he held the title from Sept. 30, 1061 until April 21, 1073.