History of Pope in Timeline

The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the head of the Catholic Church, also known as the supreme pontiff. From the eighth century to 1870, the Pope ruled the Papal States, and since 1929, has governed Vatican City. The position's authority stems from the Catholic belief that the Pope is the successor to Saint Peter, who was given primacy by Jesus. The current Pope is Francis, elected on March 13, 2013.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1929: Vatican City State Established

In 1929, Vatican City was established. Since 1929, the pope is the head of state of Vatican City.

1929: Lateran Treaty

In 1929, the Lateran Treaty between Fascist Italy and the Holy See established Vatican City to ensure its temporal and spiritual independence.

1929: Lateran Treaty Establishes Vatican City

In 1929, the Lateran Treaty established Vatican City as an independent city-state, guaranteeing papal independence from secular rule.

1932: Adoption of 'A Brief Statement'

In 1932, the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) adopted 'A Brief Statement of the Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod'.

1950: Pope Pius XII Defines the Assumption of Mary as Dogma

In 1950, Pope Pius XII defined the Assumption of Mary as dogma, marking a rare instance of a pope speaking ex cathedra since papal infallibility was explicitly declared.

1959: Release of 'Statement on the Antichrist' by WELS

In 1959, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) released its own statement, the 'Statement on the Antichrist', declaring the Papacy to be the Antichrist.

1964: Dogmatic Constitution on the Church

In 1964, the Second Vatican Council declared a Dogmatic Constitution on the Church.

1973: Catholic-Lutheran Dialogue on Papal Primacy

In 1973, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs and the USA National Committee of the Lutheran World Federation included a passage in a larger statement on papal primacy during an official Catholic-Lutheran dialogue.

1976: Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976

In 1976, the United States' Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act was established, recognizing the basic immunity of foreign governments from being sued in American courts, but also laying down nine exceptions, including commercial activity and actions in the United States by agents or employees of the foreign governments.

1978: Election of John Paul II

In 1978, John Paul II was elected. He was the first non-Italian pope since 1522.

1978: Papal Coronation until 1978

Until 1978, the pope's election was followed in a few days by the papal coronation.

1983: Code of Canon Law

In 1983, the Code of Canon Law states the requirements for validity if the Roman Pontiff resigns his office.

1996: Universi Dominici Gregis Promulgated

In 1996, Pope John Paul II promulgated Universi Dominici Gregis, outlining regulations for a papal interregnum.

1996: Universi Dominici Gregis Promulgation

In 1996, Universi Dominici Gregis was promulgated, allowing a simple majority after a twelve-day deadlock.

2005: Papal Conclave 2005

For the Papal conclave in 2005, a special urn was used instead of a chalice and plate.

2005: Annuario Pontificio Includes Patriarch of the West

From 1863 to 2005, the Annuario Pontificio included the title "patriarch of the West".

2005: Benedict XVI's Coat of Arms

In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI omitted the papal tiara from his personal coat of arms, replacing it with a mitre.

2005: Papal Conclave 2005: Church bells used

Starting with the Papal conclave in 2005, church bells are also rung as a signal that a new pope has been chosen.

March 2006: Title Patriarch of the West Omitted

On March 2006, the Vatican released a statement explaining the omission of the title "patriarch of the West" from the Annuario Pontificio.

October 2007: Ravenna Document

On October 2007, theologians from the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches issued the Ravenna Document.

2007: Revocation of Simple Majority Rule

In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI revoked the allowance of a simple majority after a twelve-day deadlock for papal elections.

November 2008: U.S. Court of Appeals Decision on Sexual Abuse Case

In November 2008, the United States Court of Appeals in Cincinnati ruled that a case over sexual abuse by Catholic priests could proceed if the plaintiffs could prove that the bishops accused of negligent supervision were acting as employees or agents of the Holy See and following official Holy See policy.

April 2010: Proposed Arrest of Pope Benedict XVI in the UK

In April 2010, atheist campaigners and a barrister proposed a plan to have Pope Benedict XVI arrested and prosecuted in the UK for alleged offences related to Catholic sex abuse cases, arguing against his immunity from prosecution. However, this proposal was generally dismissed as unrealistic.

October 2012: Declaration on Vatican II Implementation

On October 2012, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, 60 theologians put out a Declaration stating the intention of Vatican II to balance authority in the Church has not been realized.

February 2013: Benedict XVI Vacates the Holy See

On February 2013, Benedict XVI vacated the Holy See. He was the first to resign since 1415.

March 2013: Election of Pope Francis

On March 2013, Francis was elected as the Pope, becoming the head of the worldwide Catholic Church.

June 2013: Encyclical Signed by Pope Francis

In June 2013, Pope Francis signed an encyclical using his name in Latin, "Franciscus".

2013: Francis' Coat of Arms

In 2013, Pope Francis maintained the mitre that replaced the tiara, but omitted the pallium.

2015: Francis Brokered Relations Improvement Between US and Cuba

In the 21st century, Francis played a role in brokering the 2015 improvement in relations between the United States and Cuba.

2017: Angelo De Donatis Served as Cardinal Vicar

From 2017, Angelo De Donatis served as cardinal vicar.

2022: Potential Trial in English Courts

In 2022, it was anticipated that the first trial in English courts involving governmental units of the Holy See, concerning disputes relating to commercial transactions, would likely occur.

2023: Potential Trial in English Courts

In 2023, it was anticipated that the first trial in English courts involving governmental units of the Holy See, concerning disputes relating to commercial transactions, would likely occur.

2024: Angelo De Donatis Served as Cardinal Vicar

Angelo De Donatis served as cardinal vicar until 2024.

2024: "Patriarch of the West" reintroduced to the pope's list of titles

In 2024, "Patriarch of the West" was reintroduced to the pope's list of titles in the Annuario Pontifico.