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Roman Catholicism - The Changing "Church" Time Lin

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Timeline of Roman Catholicism

The long-held claim by Roman Catholicism that it was the only unchangeable church is not supported by church history – not even Roman Catholic history. How sad to realize that this false claim influenced so many to join or to stay in this false church, which actually is the product of centuries of changes. Most of these changes resulted from the Roman Catholic church's yielding to heathen customs and practices that were subsequently incorporated into Roman Catholic teachings and worship. The following is a partial list of heathen, unscriptural practices that became a part of Roman Catholic dogma over a period of seventeen centuries. Some of the dates given are approximate. In many cases, these heresies were even debated for years before being given the status of required beliefs:
  1. Prayers for the dead – 300 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  2. Making the sign of the cross – 300 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  3. Veneration of angels & dead saints – 375 A.D.
    [/*:m:8f403]
  4. Use of images in worship – 375 A D.
    [/*:m:8f403]
  5. The Mass as a daily celebration – 394 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  6. Beginning of the exaltation of Mary; the term, "Mother of God" applied at Council of Ephesus – 431 AD.
    [/*:m:8f403]
  7. Extreme Unction (Last Rites) – 526 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  8. Doctrine of Purgatory (Gregory I) – 593 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  9. Prayers to Mary & dead saints – 600 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  10. Worship of cross, images & relics – 786 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  11. Canonization of dead saints – 995 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  12. Celibacy of priesthood – 1079 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  13. The Rosary – 1090 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  14. Indulgences – 1190 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  15. Transubstantiation (Innocent III) – 1215 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  16. Auricular Confession of sins to a priest – 1215 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  17. Adoration of the wafer (Host) – 1220 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  18. Cup forbidden to the people at communion – 1414 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  19. Purgatory proclaimed as a dogma – 1439 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  20. The doctrine of the Seven Sacraments confirmed – 1439 AD
    [/*:m:8f403]
  21. Tradition declared of equal authority with Bible by Council of Trent – 1545 AD
    • Denied every doctrine of the Reformation, from Sola Scriptura to "salvation by grace through faith alone";
      [/*:m:8f403]
    • Pronounced 125 anathemas (eternal damnation) upon anyone believing what evangelicals believe and preach today. Here is a sampling:
      • If any one shall deny that the body and blood together with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore entire Christ, are truly, really, and substantially contained in the sacrament of the most holy Eucharist; and shall say that He is only in it as a sign, or in a figure, or virtually – let him be accursed (Canon 1).
        [/*:m:8f403]
      • If any one shall say that the substance of the bread and wine remains in the sacrament of the most holy Eucharist, together with the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and shall deny that wonderful and singular conversion of the whole substance of the bread into the body, and of the whole substance of the wine into the blood, the outward forms of the bread and wine still remaining, which conversion the Catholic Church most aptly calls transubstantiation – let him be accursed (Canon 2).
        [/*:m:8f403]
      • If any man shall say that Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is not to be adored in the holy sacrament of the Eucharist, even with the open worship of latria, and therefore not to be venerated with any peculiar festal celebrity, nor to be solemnly carried about in processions according to the praiseworthy, and universal rites and customs of the holy Church, and that he is not to be publicly set before the people to be adored, and that his adorers are idolaters – let him be accursed (Canon 6).
        [/*:m:8f403]
      • If anyone shall say that the ungodly man is justified by faith only so as to understand that nothing else is required that may cooperate to obtain the grace of justification, and that it is in no wise necessary for him to be prepared and disposed by the motion of his own will ... let him be accursed (Canon 9).
        [/*:m:8f403]
      • If anyone shall say that justifying faith is nothing else than confidence in the divine mercy pardoning sins for Christ's sake, or that it is that confidence alone by which we are justified ... let him be accursed (Canon 12).[/*:m:8f403]
      [/*:m:8f403]
    • Equal value and authority of tradition and Scripture (in actuality, tradition is held above Scripture);
      [/*:m:8f403]
    • Scriptures for the priesthood only (prohibited to anyone in the laity without written permission from one's superior -- to violate this was [and still is in most "Catholic countries" today] considered a mortal sin);
      [/*:m:8f403]
    • Seven sacraments;
      [/*:m:8f403]
    • Communion by eating the bread only (not drinking the wine);
      [/*:m:8f403]
    • Purgatory;
      [/*:m:8f403]
    • Indulgences;
      [/*:m:8f403]
    • The Mass as a propitiatory offering.[/*:m:8f403][/list:o:8f403][/*:m:8f403]
    • Apocryphal books added to Bible – 1546 AD
      [/*:m:8f403]
    • Immaculate Conception of Mary – 1854 AD
      [/*:m:8f403]
    • Vatican Council I – 1870 AD
      1. Defined the infallibility of the pope in matters of faith and morals
        [/*:m:8f403]
      2. Confirmed Unum Sanctum (no salvation outside of the Catholic Church).[/*:m:8f403]
      [/*:m:8f403]
    • Assumption of the Virgin Mary (bodily ascension into heaven shortly after her death) – 1950 AD
      [/*:m:8f403]
    • Vatican Council II – 1965 AD

      • Vatican II made no new doctrines, nor did it change or repudiate any old ones; Trent and Vatican I stand as is (Vatican II verified and validated all the anathemas of Trent). Vatican II reaffirmed such Roman heresies as papal supremacy; the Roman priesthood; the mass as an unbloody sacrifice of Christ; a polluted sacramental gospel; Catholic tradition on equal par with Scripture; Mary as the Queen of Heaven and co-Redemptrix with Christ; auricular confession; Mariolatry; pilgrimages to "holy shrines"; purgatory; prayers to and for the dead; etc.
        • Mary proclaimed Mother of the RC church.
        • Reaffirmed the infallibility of the pope (and even when he does not speak ex-cathedra, all RC's must still give complete submission of mind and will to what he says).
          [/*:m:8f403]
        • Divided RC doctrine into that which is essential core of theology, and must be received by faith, and that which is still an undefined body of theology which RC's may question and debate without repudiating their essential core.
          [/*:m:8f403]
        • Established 20 complex rules concerning when and how any indulgence may be obtained, and condemned "with anathema those who say that indulgences are useless or that the Church does not have the power to grant them ... [for] the task of winning salvation." [/*:m:8f403]
        [/*:m:8f403][/list:u:8f403][/*:m:8f403][/list:o:8f403]

        Retrieved from http://www.eaec.org/cults/rc/timeline.htm
 
THE CONFUSION OF THE POPES

The Roman Catholic church claims it has an "Unbroken List of Popes from Peter to Today." It calls this List "the Title Deed of the Roman Catholic Church."

It either has a Title Deed or it does not. Either there is an Unbroken Line or there is not. If not, the Roman Catholic Church falls apart, and is proven to be a false church, from which every member should be converted and put his faith only in Jesus Christ as all-sufficient Saviour and Lord.

The fact is, there is no such thing as an "unbroken line!" No Title company in the world would insure the title of the Roman Catholic Church. It is hopelessly confused. Four official Roman Catholic books give four different "Title Deeds!" They don't know if the actual number of the so -called popes is 258, 261, 262, or less.

In 1947, the Vatican made changes regarding 74 popes. It removed "the little man who never was." Poor "pope" Donus had been listed as a pope in 973. But in 1947 the Vatican dropped him from its "unbroken line" - its glorious "Title Deed." Why? Because they found he had never even existed! In addition, the Vatican dropped six "popes," and removed the "sainthood" of four others!

How can this be, since the Roman Catholic Church claims that saints are made by God in heaven? Ask your priest.

The following are three Roman Catholic approved publications, with information showing how utterly confused they are concerning this so-called "Title Deed."

THE FAITH OF MILLIONS - author, John A. O'Brien, Ph.D. Copyright 1938, published by Our Sunday Visitor (Roman Catholic newspaper), Nihil Obstat Rev. T. E. Dillon, Censor Librorum; Imprimatur, John Francis Noll, DD, Bishop of Fort Wayne.

List of popes, pages 67-70. Total number of popes, starting with Peter, ending with Pius XII, 261.

Pope #137, John XIV; Pope #207, Martin V. Statement on page 70: "Of the 261 popes from St. Peter to Pius XII, 83 are honored as saints, 7 as blessed and 33 were martyred; they constitute a distinguished list of holy and saintly men, linking the Church with Christ and constituting the Title Deed of the Catholic Church - the one true Church of Jesus Christ on earth."

WHAT'S THE TRUTH ABOUT CATHOLICS? - author, Rev. John A.O'Brien, Copyright 1950, published by Our Sunday Visitor, Nihil Obstat Rev. Msgr. T. E. Dillon, Censor Librorum; Imprimatur John Francis Noll, DD, Bishop of Fort Wayne.

List of popes, pages 66-67. Total number of popes from Peter to Pius XII, 262.
Pope #137, Donus II; Pope #207, John XXII or XXIII or XXIV.

Pope #5 is shown as Anacletus, whereas in Faith of Millions, #5 is Evaristus!

A Jan. 18, 1947 news report from the Vatican states that "Pope Donus" was found to be "a person who never existed!" In addition, designation of sainthood was removed from Felix II, Liberius, Anastasio, Stephen III, Stephen V! And poor, deluded, unsuspecting Roman Catholic people had been praying to these non-existent "saints" for centruies with the official approval of the same Roman Catholic Church that now says it was all a mistake! What a horrible fraud!

THE STORY OF THE POPE - Dell publication, copyright 1957; Nihil Obstat, John A. Goddwine, JCD, censor librorum, Imprimatur Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York.

List of popes, pages 64-65. Total number of popes from Peter to Pius XII, 258!

A copy of the Jan. 18, 1947 news article from Vatican City can be obtained from any Public Library. It was carried on the front page of the Phila. Inquirer, and in the New York Times. It was titled, "VATICAN DROPS 6 NAMES FROM LIST OF POPES."

WE INVITE ALL ROMAN CATHOLICS TO TURN FROM THIS HOPELESS CONFUSION AND COME TO THE TRUE ROCK THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND HIM ALONE! If the Apostle Peter were alive, today, he would be the first to invite you to leave this pagan system that has deceived so many because it contains a mixture of Christianity.

Peter would tell you that Christ is the Rock (1 Peter 2:7-8)....(Acts 4:8-12).

He would tell you that Matthew 16:18 refers to Christ Himself (Matthew 16:16; 1 Corinthians 10:4) as the Rock upon which the Church is built.

Peter is but a stone in the Church of Christ, as are all born again Christians (1 Peter 1:23; 1 Peter 2:5).

All Christians are given the Scriptures (keys) to to declare the remission of sins by faith in Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:18; Luke 24:45-47; Acts 10:43).

COME GIVE YOUR HEART TO CHRIST TODAY!

Roman Catholicism makes salvation a long, complicated process with no assurance of eternal life and forgiveness of all sin. Baptism, Mass, Confession, prayers to Mary and the Saints, good works, and purgatory are all added to faith in Christ. By contrast, the Bible teaches salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Bible salvation is God's free gift to any sinner who believes that Christ died for their sins and rose again for their defense. Bible salvation gives immediate assurance of eternal life. No church ever saved anyone, but Christ can and will save everyone who will come and trust Him as their Saviour. Membership or faith in a church does not secure salvation for anyone, but trust Christ and Him alone and you will be saved for all eternity! Would you like to be saved?

Overview of Roman Catholicism
 
This might be a a a tad off the subject - however, I still do not understand how Catholics can claim a succession of Popes - when the Popes are "voted" on!

In the Bible, the Priests, and even the disciples cast lots - but that is different from casting a 'vote'.
 
aLoneVoice said:
This might be a a a tad off the subject - however, I still do not understand how Catholics can claim a succession of Popes - when the Popes are "voted" on!

In the Bible, the Priests, and even the disciples cast lots - but that is different from casting a 'vote'.

I am not exactly sure on how that works, but I know it is more than a simple vote.

Regards
 
Here is some history of church fathers/tradition http://www.scripturecatholic.com


Tradition / Church Fathers
I. Scripture Must be Interpreted in Light of Church Tradition
“Those, therefore, who desert the preaching of the Church, call in question the knowledge of the holy presbyters, not taking into consideration of how much greater consequence is a religious man, even in a private station, than a blasphemous and impudent sophist. Now, such are all the heretics, and those who imagine that they have hit upon something more beyond the truth, so that by following those things already mentioned, proceeding on their way variously, in harmoniously, and foolishly, not keeping always to the same opinions with regard to the same things, as blind men are led by the blind, they shall deservedly fall into the ditch of ignorance lying in their path, ever seeking and never finding out the truth. It behooves us, therefore, to avoid their doctrines, and to take careful heed lest we suffer any injury from them; but to flee to the Church, and be brought up in her bosom, and be nourished with the Lord's Scriptures." Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 5,20:2 (A.D. 180).

"Since this is the case, in order that the truth may be adjudged to belong to us, "as many as walk according to the rule," which the church has handed down from the apostles, the apostles from Christ, and Christ from God, the reason of our position is clear, when it determines that heretics ought not to be allowed to challenge an appeal to the Scriptures, since we, without the Scriptures, prove that they have nothing to do with the Scriptures. For as they are heretics, they cannot be true Christians, because it is not from Christ that they get that which they pursue of their own mere choice, and from the pursuit incur and admit the name of heretics. Thus, not being Christians, they have acquired no right to the Christian Scriptures; and it may be very fairly said to them, "Who are you? When and whence did you come?" Tertullian, Prescription against the Heretics, 37 (A.D. 200).

"Now the cause, in all the points previously enumerated, of the false opinions, and of the impious statements or ignorant assertions about God, appears to be nothing else than the not understanding the Scripture according to its spiritual meaning, but the interpretation of it agreeably to the mere letter. And therefore, to those who believe that the sacred books are not the compositions of men, but that they were composed by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, agreeably to the will of the Father of all things through Jesus Christ, and that they have come down to us, we must point out the ways (of interpreting them) which appear (correct) to us, who cling to the standard of the heavenly Church of Jesus Christ according to the succession of the apostles." Origen, First Principles, 4,1:9 (A.D. 230).

"The spouse of Christ cannot be adulterous; she is uncorrupted and pure. She knows one home; she guards with chaste modesty the sanctity of one couch. She keeps us for God. She appoints the sons whom she has born for the kingdom. Whoever is separated from the Church and is joined to an adulteress, is separated from the promises of the Church; nor can he who forsakes the Church of Christ attain to the rewards of Christ. He is a stranger; he is profane; he is an enemy. He can no longer have God for his Father, who has not the Church for his mother. If any one could escape who was outside the ark of Noah, then he also may escape who shall be outside of the Church. The Lord warns, saying, 'He who is not with me is against me, and he who gathereth not with me scattereth.'" Cyprian, Unity of the Church, 6 (A.D. 256).

"But in learning the Faith and in professing it, acquire and keep that only, which is now delivered to thee by the Church, and which has been built up strongly out of all the Scriptures....Take heed then, brethren, and hold fast the traditions which ye now receive, and write them and the table of your heart." Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures, 5:12 (A.D. 350).

"[T]hey who are placed without the Church, cannot attain to any understanding of the divine word. For the ship exhibits a type of Church, the word of life placed and preached within which, they who are without, and lie near like barren and useless sands, cannot understand." Hilary of Poitiers, On Matthew, Homily 13:1 (A.D. 355).

"But beyond these [Scriptural] sayings, let us look at the very tradition, teaching and faith of the Catholic Church from the beginning, which the Lord gave, the Apostles preached, and the Fathers kept." Athanasius, Four Letters to Serapion of Thmuis, 1:28 (A.D. 360).

"This then I consider the sense of this passage, and that, a very ecclesiasitcal sense." Athanasius, Discourse Against the Arians, 1:44 (A.D. 362).

"It is the church which perfect truth perfects. The church of believers is great, and its bosom most ample; it embraces the fullness of the two Testaments." Ephraem, Against Heresies (ante A.D. 373).

"Now I accept no newer creed written for me by other men, nor do I venture to propound the outcome of my own intelligence, lest I make the words of true religion merely human words; but what I have been taught by the holy Fathers, that I announce to all who question me. In my Church the creed written by the holy Fathers in synod at Nicea is in use." Basil, To the Church of Antioch, Epistle 140:2 (A.D. 373).

"For they [heretics] do not teach as the church does; their message does no accord with the truth." Epiphanius, Panarion, 47 (A.D. 377).

"eeing, I say, that the Church teaches this in plain language, that the Only-begotten is essentially God, very God of the essence of the very God, how ought one who opposes her decisions to overthrow the preconceived opinion... And let no one interrupt me, by saying that what we confess should also be confirmed by constructive reasoning: for it is enough for proof of our statement, that the tradition has come down to us from our Fathers, handled on, like some inheritance, by succession from the apostles and the saints who came after them." Gregory of Nyssa, Against Eunomius, 4:6 (c. A.D. 384).

"Wherefore all other generations are strangers to truth; all the generations of heretics hold not the truth: the church alone, with pious affection, is in possession of the truth." Ambrose, Commentary of Psalm 118,19 (A.D. 388).

"They teach what they themselves have learnt from their predecessors. They have received those rites which they explain from the Church's tradition. They preach only 'the dogmas of the Church'" John Chrysostom, Baptismal Instruction (A.D. 389).

"But when proper words make Scripture ambiguous, we must see in the first place that there is nothing wrong in our punctuation or pronunciation. Accordingly, if, when attention is given to the passage, it shall appear to be uncertain in what way it ought to be punctuated or pronounced, let the reader consult the rule of faith which he has gathered from the plainer passages of Scripture, and from the authority of the Church, and of which I treated at sufficient length when I was speaking in the first book about things." Augustine, On Christian Doctrine, 3,2:2 (A.D. 397).

" 'So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye were taught, whether by word, or by Epistle of ours.' Hence it is manifest, that they did not deliver all things by Epistle, but many things also unwritten, and in like manner both the one and the other are worthy of credit. Therefore let us think the tradition of the Church also worthy of credit. It is a tradition, seek no farther." John Chrysostom, Homily on 2nd Thessalonians, 4:2 (A.D. 404).

"My resolution is, to read the ancients, to try everything, to hold fast what is good, and not to recede from the faith of the Catholic Church." Jerome, To Minervius & Alexander, Epistle 119 (A.D. 406).

"But those reasons which I have here given, I have either gathered from the authority of the church, according to the tradition of our forefathers, or from the testimony of the divine Scriptures, or from the nature itself of numbers and of similitudes. No sober person will decide against reason, no Christian against the Scriptures, no peaceable person against the church." Augustine, On the Trinity, 4,6:10 (A.D. 416).

"But it will be said, If the words, the sentiments, the promises of Scripture, are appealed to by the Devil and his disciples, of whom some are false apostles, some false prophets and false teachers, and all without exception heretics, what are Catholics and the sons of Mother Church to do? How are they to distinguish truth from falsehood in the sacred Scriptures? They must be very careful to pursue that course which, in the beginning of this Commonitory, we said that holy and learned men had commended to us, that is to say, they must interpret the sacred Canon according to the traditions of the Universal Church and in keeping with the rules of Catholic doctrine, in which Catholic and Universal Church, moreover, they must follow universality, antiquity, consent." Vincent of Lerins, Commonitory of the Antinquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith, 70 (A.D. 434).

"[H]old fast the faith in simplicity of mind; establishing the tradition of the church as a foundation, in the inmost recesses of thy heart, hold the doctrines which are well-pleasing unto God." Cyril of Alexandria, Festal Letters, Homily 8 (A.D. 442).
 
Here is a better timeline for you.

Catholic 33 Jesus Christ Jerusalem

Orthodox 1054 Schismatic Catholic
Bishops Constantinople

Lutheran 1517 Martin Luther Germany

Anabaptist 1521 Nicholas Storch &
Thomas Munzer Germany

Anglican 1534 Henry VIII England

Mennonites 1536 Menno Simons Switzerland

Calvinist 1555 John Calvin Switzerland

Presbyterian 1560 John Knox Scotland

Congregational 1582 Robert Brown Holland

Baptist 1609 John Smyth Amsterdam

Dutch Reformed 1628 Michaelis Jones New York

Congregationalist 1648 Pilgrims and Puritans Massachusetts

Quakers 1649 George Fox England

Amish 1693 Jacob Amman France

Freemasons 1717 Masons from four lodges London

Methodist 1739 John & Charles
Wesley England

Unitarian 1774 Theophilus Lindey London

Methodist Episcopal 1784 60 Preachers Baltimore, MD

Episcopalian 1789 Samuel Seabury American Colonies

United Brethren 1800 Philip Otterbein &
Martin Boehn Maryland

Disciples of Christ 1827 Thomas & Alexander
Campbell Kentucky

Mormon 1830 Joseph Smith New York

Methodist Protestant 1830 Methodist United States

Church of Christ 1836 Warren Stone &
Alexander Campbell Kentucky

Seventh Day Adventist 1844 Ellen White Washington, NH

Christadelphian (Brethren
of Christ 1844 John Thomas Richmond, VA

Salvation Army 1865 William Booth London

Holiness 1867 Methodist United States

Jehovah's Witnesses 1874 Charles Taze Russell Pennsylvania

Christian Science 1879 Mary Baker Eddy Boston

Church of God in Christ 1895 Various churches of God Arkansas

Church of Nazarene c. 1850-1900 Various religious bodies Pilot Point, TX

Pentecstal 1901 Charles F. Parkham Topeka, KS

Aglipayan 1902 Gregorio Aglipay Philippines

Assemblies of God 1914 Pentecostalism Hot Springs, AZ

Iglesia ni Christo 1914 Felix Manalo Philippines

Four-square Gospel 1917 Aimee Semple
McPherson Los Angeles, CA

United Church of Christ 1961 Reformed and
Congregationalist Philadelphia, PA

Calvary Chapel 1965 Chuck Smith Costa Mesa, CA

United Methodist 1968 Methodist and United
Brethren Dallas, TX

Born-again c. 1970s Various religious bodies United States

Harvest Christian 1972 Greg Laurie Riverside, CA

Saddleback 1982 Rick Warren California

Non-denominational c. 1990s various United States
 
ok...i found a better timeline for you!!

1 St. Peter, d. ca. 64. The first disciple called by Jesus; he is also credited with writing two Letters that appear in the New Testament. The first pope to be martyred and the first pope to be named a saint.
2 St. Linus, 67-76.
3 St. Anacletus (Cletus), 76-88. His name is commemorated in Eucharist Prayer I.
4 St. Clement I, 88-97. He is also known as Clement of Rome.
5 St. Evaristus, 97-105.
6 St. Alexander I, 105-115. Inaugurated the custom of blessing houses with holy water.
7 St. Sixtus I, 115-125. The Latin name Sixtus means "sixth", the sixth successor of Peter.
8 St. Telesphoros, 125-136. Inaugurated the seven-week fast before Easter.
9 St. Hyginus, 136-140. Along with St. Justin Martyr, Hyginus was well-known for defending the Church.
10 St. Pius I, 140-155. The first pope to function as Bishop of Rome.
11 St. Anicetus, 155-166.
12 St. Soter, 166-175. Introduced Easter as an annual liturgical feast in Rome.
13 St. Eleutherius, 175-189. Served as a deacon to Pope Anicetus.
14 St. Victor I, 189-198. The first African pope.
15 St. Zephrynus, 199-217.
16 St. Callistus I, 217-222.
17 St. Urban I, 222-230.
18 St. Pontian, 230-235. The first pope to abdicate his office.
19 St. Anterus, 235-236. Died a natural death after serving as pope for less than two months.
20 St. Fabian, 236-250. One of the most respected popes of the early Church.
21 St. Cornelius, 251-253.
22 St. Lucius I, 253-254.
23 St. Stephen I, 254-257.
24 St. Sixtus II, 257-258. This highly venerated martyr was beheaded by order of the Emperor Valerian.
25 St. Dionysius, 260-268. His election to the papacy was delayed because of Christian persecution in Rome.
26 St. Felix I, 269-274.
27 St. Eutychian, 274-283.
28 St. Caius, 283-296. The Roman Empire is partitioned into West and East.
29 St. Marcellinus, 296-304.
30 St. Marcellus, 308-309.
31 St. Eusebius, 309-310.
32 St. Melchiades, 311-314.
33 St. Sylvester I, 314-335. During his pontificate, the first ecumenical council (in Nicaea) was held.
*Construction of St. Peter's Basilica begins in 330.
*Seat of the Roman Empire was moved to Constantinople in 331.
34 St. Mark, 336. His papacy was cut short within the year.
35 St. Julius I, 337-352. He strongly defended the Council of Nicaea's teaching on the divinity of Christ.
36 Liberius, 352-366.
37 St. Damascus, 366-384. He authorized a new Latin translation of the New Testament.
*Barbarian invasions begin in 375 and continue to 568.
38 St. Siricius, 384-399.
39 St. Anastasius, 399-401.
40 St. Innocent I, 401-417.
41 St. Zosimus, 417-418.
42 St. Boniface I, 418-422. He is the author of this familiar axiom, "Rome has spoken; the cause is finished."
43 St. Celestine I, 422-432. The Council of Ephesus was held during his pontificate.
44 St. Sixtus III, 432-440. He showed remarkable leadership for building Church unity.
45 St. Leo I (the Great), 440-461. He and Pope Gregory (590-604) are the only two popes to be called "the Great." Leo courageously confronted Attila the Hun and neutralized other barbaric invaders.
46 St. Hilary, 461-468.
47 St. Simplicius, 468-483.
48 St. Felix III. 483-492.
49 St. Gelasius, 492-496. He was first pope to be called "Vicar of Christ."
50 Anastasius II, 496-498.
51 St. Symmachus, 498-515.
52 St. Hormisdas, 514-523.
53 St. John I, 523-526. He was first pope to travel to the East (Constantinople).
54 St. Felix IV, 526-530.
55 Boniface II, 530-532. He was the first pope of German extraction.
56 John II, 533-535.
57 Agapitus, 535-536. He strongly opposed the Arian heresy, which held that that Jesus Christ was not the Son of God.
58 St. Silverius, 536-537. He was the first pope to resign his office.
59 Vigilius, 537-555.
60 Pelagius I, 556-561
61 John III, 561-574.
*Muhammad (570-632), the founder of Islam, was born during John III's papacy.
62 Benedict I, 575-579.
63 Pelagius II, 579-590. He was the second pope of German extraction.
64 St. Gregory I (the Great), 590-604. The first pope to have been a monk, his name is closely associated with Gregorian chant.
65 Sabinian, 604-606.
66 Boniface III, 607. He died of natural causes nine months into his papacy.
67 Boniface IV, 608-615. His pastoral style was modeled on Pope Gregory's papacy.
68 St. Deusdedit, 615-618. During his pontificate, Rome suffered the ravages of an earthquake and the plague.
69 Boniface IV, 619-625. Known for his compassion for the poor, he distributed his entire wealth to the needy.
70 Honorius, 625-638.
71 Severinus, 640. He died two months after his consecration.
72 John IV, 640-642.
73 Theodore I, 642-649.
74 St. Martin I, 649-655. He was the last pope to be recognized as a martyr.
75 St. Eugene I, 654-657.
76 St. Vitalian, 657-672.
77 Adeodatus II, 672-676.
78 Donus, 676-678.
79 St. Agatho, 678-681. He restored friendly relations between Rome and Constantinople.
80 St. Leo II, 682-683. He was very pastoral in helping the poor and in advancing the quality of Church music.
81 St. Benedict II, 684-685.
82 John V, 685-686. Illness marked his entire pontificate.
83 Conon, 686-687.
84 St. Sergius, 687-701. He introduced the singing of the "Lamb of God" at Mass.
85 John VI, 701-705.
86 John VII. 705-707.
87 Sisinnius, 708. He died of natural causes twenty days after his election.
88 Constantine, 708-715. He spent one full year in Constantinople to improve relations between Rome and the East.
89 St. Gregory II, 715-731.
90 St. Gregory III, 731-741. He promoted missionary efforts to Germany and England.
91 St. Zachary, 741-752.
92 Stephen II, 752-757.
93 St. Paul I, 757-767. Brother and close advisor of Pope Stephen II, he is the only example of a new pope succeeding his older brother.
94 Stephen III, 768-772.
95 Adrian I, 772-795. Peaceful conditions allowed him to build and restore many churches in Rome.
96 St. Leo III, 795-816.
*Charlesmagne is crowned the first Holy Roman Emperor in 800.
97 Stephen IV, 816-817.
98 St. Paschal I, 817-824.
99 Eugene II, 824-827.
100 Valentine, 827. He died less than two months after being consecrated.
101 Gregory IV, 827-844.
102 Sergius II, 844-847.
103 St. Leo IV, 847-855.
104 Benedict III, 855-858.
105 St. Nicholas I, 858-867.
106 Adrian II, 867-872.
107 John VIII. 872-882. The first pope to be assassinated, poison was the cause of death.
108 Marinus I, 882-884.
109 Adrian III, 884-885.
110 Stephen V, 885-891.
111 Formosus, 891-896.
112 Boniface, 896. He died of natural causes after about fifteen days in office.
113 Stephen VI, 896-897.
114 Romanus, 897. Little is known of his short pontificate.
115 Theodore II, 897. He was in office about twenty days.
116 John IX, 898-900.
117 Benedict IV, 900-903.
118 Leo V, 903. He was overthrown after less than two months in office.
119 Sergius, 904-911. He represents one of the most corrupt periods of the papacy.
120 Anastasius, 911-913.
121 Lando, 913-914.
122 John X, 914-928. He entire pontificate was filled with political intrigue.
123 Leo VI, 928.
124 Stephen VII, 928-931.
125 John XI, 931-935.
126 Leo VII, 936-939.
127 Stephen VIII, 939-942.
128 Marinus II, 942-946.
129 Agapitus, 946-955.
130 John XII, 955-964.
131 Leo VIII, 963-965.
132 Benedict V, 964-966. At one point, King Otto deported Benedict and reinstated the previous pope, Leo VIII.
*Poland is Christianized beginning in 966.
133 John XIII, 966-972. There is confusion about the legitimate claims to the papacy from Leo III to John XIII.
134 Benedict VI, 973-974.
135 Benedict VII, 974-983. He increased the frequency of "ad limina visits." That practice still continues today, each diocesan bishops meets personally with the pope to discuss the state of the diocese.
136 John XIV, 983-984. Changed name to John since he was unwilling to keep his baptismal name of Peter.
137 John XV, 985-996. The first pope to formally canonize a saint (St. Ulric in 993).
138 Gregory V, 972-999. The first German pope.
139 Sylvester II, 999-1003. The first French pope.
140 John XVII, 1003. Authorized Polish missionaries to work among the Slavs.
141 John XVIII, 1004-1009. Abdicated the papacy shortly before his death to become a monk.
142 Sergius IV, 1009-1012. He changed name to Sergius since he was unwilling to keep his baptismal name of Peter.
143 Benedict VIII, 1012-1024. He was the first of three laymen who were consecutively elected to the papacy.
144 John XIX, 1024-1032. He succeeded his older brother Benedict VIII to the papacy.
145 Benedict IX, 1032-1044.
146 Sylvester III, 1045.
147 Gregory VI, 1045-1046.
148 Clement, 1046-1047.
149 Damasus, 1048. He died of malaria early in his papacy.
150 St. Leo IX, 1049-1054.
151 Victor II, 1055-1057.
152 Stephen IX, 1057-1058.
153 Nicholas, 1058-1061. He changed procedures for electing a pope, only allowed cardinal electors.
154 Alexander II, 1061-1073. He was known as a reformer pope.
155 St. Gregory VII, 1072-1085. He expanded the reformist agenda of Alexander II.
156 Blessed Victor III, 1086-1087.
157 Blessed Urban II, 1088-1099.
*The first university with the authority to grant degrees is established in Italy in 1088.
*The Crusades, a series of attacks by Western Christians against the Muslims to take control over Jerusalem, continues for the next 92 years.
158 Paschal II, 1099-1118.
159 Gelasius II, 1118-1119.
160 Callistus, 1119-1124.
161 Honorius II, 1124-1130.
162 Innocent II, 1130-1143. He convened the Second Lateran Council in 1139.
163 Celestine II, 1143-1144.
164 Lucius II, 1144-1145.
165 Blessed Eugene II, 1145-1153. He proclaimed the Second Crusade in 1145.
166 Anastasius, 1153-1154.
167 Adrian IV, 1154-1159. He was the first and only English pope.
168 Alexander III, 1159-1181. He imposed penance on King Henry II for the murder of St. Thomas of Becket (1172).
169 Lucius III, 1181-1185. Spent most of his pontificate outside of Rome.
170 Urban III, 1185-1187.
171 Gregory VIII, 1187. He was elected at age 87 and died two months later.
172 Clement III, 1187-1191. He was preoccupied with plans for launching the Third Crusade.
173 Celestine III, 1191-1198.
174 Innocent III, 1198-1216. He was the highpoint of the medieval papacy and exercised considerable political and spiritual power.
*In 1215, King John issues the Magna Carta.
175 Honorius III, 1216-1227. He approved rules for the new Franciscan, Dominican, and Carmelite orders.
176 Gregory IX, 1227-1241. He canonized Francis of Assissi in 1226, Anthony of Padua in 1232, and Dominic in 1234.
177 Celestine IV, 1241. He died of natural causes about two weeks after being elected.
178 Innocent IV, 1243-1254. He was first pope to approve the use of torture in the Inquisition to obtain evidence of heresy.
179 Alexander IV, 1254-1261. He canonized Clare of Assisi.
180 Urban IV, 1261-1264.
*The highpoint of Gothic architecture, the massive Chartres Cathedral, is consecrated in 1260.
181 Clement IV, 1265-1268.
*St. Thomas Aquinas begins writing the SummaTheologica, which unifies faith and reason.
182 Blessed Gregory X, 1272-1276. This conclave met for three years to elect a new pope.
183 Blessed Innocent V, 1276. He was the first Dominican pope, the papal custom of wearing a white cassock probably originated with this pope.
184 Adrian V, 1276. He died only five weeks after his election.
185 John XXI, 1276-1277. He was the first and only medical doctor to be pope.
186 Nicholas, 1277-1280. He was the first pope to make the Vatican Palace his residence.
187 Martin IV, 1281-1285.
188 Honorius IV, 1285-1287.
189 Nicholas IV, 1288-1292. He was the first Franciscan to be elected pope.
*The Crusades formally end in 1291.
190 St. Celestine V, 1294. He was one of the very few popes to resign from the papacy.
191 Boniface VIII, 1294-1303.
192 Blessed Benedict XI, 1303-1304.
193 Clement V, 1305-1314. His papacy began the period known as the Avignon popes.
194 John XXII, 1316-1334. He was the second of the Avignon popes.
195 Benedict XII, 1335-1342.
196 Clement VI, 1342-1352. He advanced the practice of indulgences, the abuse of which would contribute to the Protestant Reformation 200 years later.
*The bubonic plague kills one-third of Europe's population between 1348 and 1350.
197 Innocent VI, 1352-1362.
198 Blessed Urban V, 1362-1370.
199 Gregory XI, 1371-1378. Persuaded by Saint Catherine of Siena to return the seat of the papacy to Rome, he was the last of the Avignon popes.
200 Urban VI, 1378-1389. He was the last non-cardinal to be elected pope. The years 1378-1417 are known as "the Great Western Schism," a period of crisis when rival popes claimed papal authority.
201 Boniface IX, 1389-1404.
202 Innocent VII, 1404-1406.
203 Gregory XII, 1406-1415.
204 Martin V, 1417-1431. His election to the papacy marked the end of the Great Western Schism.
205 Eugene IV, 1431-1447. He was unsuccessful in trying to reestablish union between Latin and Greek Churches.
206 Nicholas V, 1447-1455. He was the first of the Renaissance popes and a strong patron of the arts.
207 Callistus III, 1455-1458. He was the first Spanish pope. He reopened the case of Joan of Arc and declared her innocent of witchcraft.
*The Gutenberg Bible is printed.
208 Pius II, 1458-1464. He canonized Catherine of Siena.
209 Paul II, 1464-1471. He reneged on promise to reform the Church.
210 Sixtus IV, 1471-1484. He built the Sistine Chapel.
211 Innocent VIII, 1484-1492.
212 Alexander VI, 1492-1503.
*Christopher Columbus lands in America.
213 Pius III, 1503. He died only seventeen days after his consecration as pope.
214 Julius II, 1503-1513. He commissioned plans for the new St. Peter's Basilica.
215 Leo X, 1513-1521. The Protestant Reformation began during Leo's pontificate.
216 Adrian VI, 1522-1523. He was the first pope of the Catholic Counter-Reformation.
217 Clement VII, 1523-1534. Clement is the pope who refused to grant King Henry VIII a divorce from Catherine of Aragon.
218 Paul III, 1534-1549. He convened the Council of Trent and worked for Church renewal.
*In 1543, Copernicus disputes that Earth is the center of the universe.
219 Julius III, 1550-1555.
220 Marcellus II, 1555. He died of a stroke less than one month after election to papacy.
221 Paul IV, 1555-1559. He is the pope who created the Index of Forbidden Books.
222 Pius V, 1559-1565. He reconvened the Council of Trent, after it had been suspended for ten years.
223 St. Pius V, 1566-1572. He enforced the decrees of the Council of Trent and published the Roman Catechism.
224 Gregory XIII, 1572-1585. He adopted the Gregorian calendar, which is still in use today. He also was a strong supporter of the missions in India, China, and Japan.
225 Sixtus V, 1585-1590. He reorganized the Roman Curia, which then remained unchanged until Vatican II.
226 Urban VII, 1590. He died of malaria, one week after his election.
227 Gregory XIV, 1590-1591.
228 Innocent IX, 1591.
229 Clement VIII, 1592-1605. He was the fourth pope elected within a period of 1 1/2 years.
230 Leo XI, 1605. In poor health when elected pope, he died less than one month after the election.
231 Paul V, 1605-1621. Known for his positive accomplishments in Church renewal, ironically, he is best remembered as the pope who censured Galileo for teaching the Earth revolves around the sun.
232 Gregory XV, 1621-1623. He introduced the idea of electing a pope by secret ballot. He also canonized Teresa of Avila, Ignatius of Loyola, and Francis Xavier.
233 Urban VIII, 1623-1644. He is the pope who consecrated the new St. Peter's Basilica.
234 Innocent X, 1644-1655.
235 Alexander VII, 1655-1667. He allowed missionaries in China to use Chinese rites.
*In 1666, Newton discovers the Law of Gravity.
236 Clement IX, 1667-1669.
237 Clement X, 1670-1676.
238 Blessed Innocent XI, 1676-1689. He is widely admired for positive contributions to preaching and catechesis.
239 Alexander VIII, 1689-1691.
240 Innocent XII, 1691-1700. Known and respected as a reformist pope, especially in simplifying administrative procedures.
241 Clement XI, 1700-1721. He is the pope who made the feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8) a universal holy day of obligation.
242 Innocent XIII, 1721-1724.
243 Benedict XIII, 1724-1730.
244 Clement XII, 1730-1740.
245 Benedict XIV, 1740-1758. He is the author of the first papal encyclical, The Duties of Bishops.
246 Clement XIII, 1758-1769
247 Clement XIV, 1769-1774.
248 Pius VI, 1775-1799. He denounced the French Revolution and was later imprisoned by Napoleon.
*The American Declaration of Independence is signed in 1776.
249 Pius VII, 1800-1823.
*In 1804, Napoleon declares himself emperor of France.
250 Leo XII, 1823-1829. He called a Holy Year in 1825 to strengthen the bond between the papacy and Catholics.
251 Pius VIII, 1829-1830. He approved the decrees of the First Council of Baltimore.
252 Gregory XVI, 1831-1846. He was the last monk to be elected pope.
253 Pius IX, 1846-1878. His thirty-one year pontificate is the longest in history. He called the First Vatican Council, which defined papal infallibility and supremacy.
*The American Civil War takes place between 1861-1865.
*Charles Darwin publishes his theory of evolution.
254 Leo XIII, 1878-1903. Known for his efforts to bring the Church into open dialogue with the world, Leo XIII is considered the first of the modern popes. His encyclical "Of New Things" continues to be the standard of the Church's commitment to social justic
255 St. Pius X, 1903-1914. His papal motto was, "To restore all things in Christ." He is widely admired for lowering the age for First Communion to age seven.
*In 1908, Henry Ford introduces the world's first automobile.
256 Benedict XV, 1914-1922. He is remembered as a peacemaker both within the Church and among the countries who participated in World War I.
257 Pius XI, 1922-1939. Pius XI is the first pope to use the radio as a means of pastorally reaching the world.
258 Pius XII, 1939-1958. His papacy was indelibly marked by the times--namely, World War II and the following cold war period. He devoted his energy to world peace, fighting Communism, and to Marian piety.
*In 1957, the Soviet Union successfully launches the first satellite.
259 John XXIII, 1958-1963. Perhaps the most beloved of all popes, John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council whose impact includes expanding the role of the laity, liturgical renewal, collegiality of bishops, and ecumenism.
*Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring ushers in the ecology movement.
260 Paul VI, 1963-1978. He continued the work of Vatican II and became the first pope to travel around the world by airplane.
261 John Paul I, 1978. He was the first pope to take a double name. Death of natural causes ended his short pontificate of 33 days.
262 John Paul II, 1978-2005. The first Polish pope in history is also the most traveled pope in history. His extensive writings and speeches cover just about every major issue from freedom to materialism, to the modern search for meaning and the sacred, to world peace to social justice among all countries--rich and poor.
 
Apostolic_Believer said:
Here is a better timeline for you.

Catholic 33 Jesus Christ Jerusalem

Orthodox 1054 Schismatic Catholic
Bishops Constantinople

Lutheran 1517 Martin Luther Germany

Anabaptist 1521 Nicholas Storch &
Thomas Munzer Germany

Anglican 1534 Henry VIII England

Mennonites 1536 Menno Simons Switzerland

Calvinist 1555 John Calvin Switzerland

Presbyterian 1560 John Knox Scotland

Congregational 1582 Robert Brown Holland

Baptist 1609 John Smyth Amsterdam

Dutch Reformed 1628 Michaelis Jones New York

Congregationalist 1648 Pilgrims and Puritans Massachusetts

Quakers 1649 George Fox England

Amish 1693 Jacob Amman France



Methodist 1739 John & Charles
Wesley England

Unitarian 1774 Theophilus Lindey London

Methodist Episcopal 1784 60 Preachers Baltimore, MD

Episcopalian 1789 Samuel Seabury American Colonies

United Brethren 1800 Philip Otterbein &
Martin Boehn Maryland

Disciples of Christ 1827 Thomas & Alexander
Campbell Kentucky



Methodist Protestant 1830 Methodist United States

Church of Christ 1836 Warren Stone &
Alexander Campbell Kentucky

Seventh Day Adventist 1844 Ellen White Washington, NH



Salvation Army 1865 William Booth London

Holiness 1867 Methodist United States

Church of God in Christ 1895 Various churches of God Arkansas

Church of Nazarene c. 1850-1900 Various religious bodies Pilot Point, TX

Pentecstal 1901 Charles F. Parkham Topeka, KS

Aglipayan 1902 Gregorio Aglipay Philippines

Assemblies of God 1914 Pentecostalism Hot Springs, AZ

Iglesia ni Christo 1914 Felix Manalo Philippines

Four-square Gospel 1917 Aimee Semple
McPherson Los Angeles, CA

United Church of Christ 1961 Reformed and
Congregationalist Philadelphia, PA

Calvary Chapel 1965 Chuck Smith Costa Mesa, CA

United Methodist 1968 Methodist and United
Brethren Dallas, TX

Born-again c. 1970s Various religious bodies United States

Harvest Christian 1972 Greg Laurie Riverside, CA

Saddleback 1982 Rick Warren California

Non-denominational c. 1990s various United States


Hi,

These are against the Protestants:


Freemasons 1717 Masons from four lodges London

Mormon 1830 Joseph Smith New York

Christadelphian (Brethren
of Christ 1844 John Thomas Richmond, VA

Jehovah's Witnesses 1874 Charles Taze Russell Pennsylvania

Christian Science 1879 Mary Baker Eddy Boston


There are many names that I don't recognise amongst your list. So no comment on these. Don't get to hung up on names - there are many small independent churches where believers meet at as a local assembly. Many would call themselves 'Christian' and be perfectly content to do so. Against these what charge do you bring?
 
Apostolic_Believer said:
ok...i found a better timeline for you!!

1 St. Peter, d. ca. 64. The first disciple called by Jesus; he is also credited with writing two Letters that appear in the New Testament. The first pope to be martyred and the first pope to be named a saint.
2 St. Linus, 67-76.
3 St. Anacletus (Cletus), 76-88. His name is commemorated in Eucharist Prayer I.
4 St. Clement I, 88-97. He is also known as Clement of Rome.
5 St. Evaristus, 97-105.
6 St. Alexander I, 105-115. Inaugurated the custom of blessing houses with holy water.
7 St. Sixtus I, 115-125. The Latin name Sixtus means "sixth", the sixth successor of Peter.
8 St. Telesphoros, 125-136. Inaugurated the seven-week fast before Easter.
9 St. Hyginus, 136-140. Along with St. Justin Martyr, Hyginus was well-known for defending the Church.
10 St. Pius I, 140-155. The first pope to function as Bishop of Rome.
11 St. Anicetus, 155-166.
12 St. Soter, 166-175. Introduced Easter as an annual liturgical feast in Rome.
13 St. Eleutherius, 175-189. Served as a deacon to Pope Anicetus.
14 St. Victor I, 189-198. The first African pope.
15 St. Zephrynus, 199-217.
16 St. Callistus I, 217-222.
17 St. Urban I, 222-230.
18 St. Pontian, 230-235. The first pope to abdicate his office.
19 St. Anterus, 235-236. Died a natural death after serving as pope for less than two months.
20 St. Fabian, 236-250. One of the most respected popes of the early Church.
21 St. Cornelius, 251-253.
22 St. Lucius I, 253-254.
23 St. Stephen I, 254-257.
24 St. Sixtus II, 257-258. This highly venerated martyr was beheaded by order of the Emperor Valerian.
25 St. Dionysius, 260-268. His election to the papacy was delayed because of Christian persecution in Rome.
26 St. Felix I, 269-274.
27 St. Eutychian, 274-283.
28 St. Caius, 283-296. The Roman Empire is partitioned into West and East.
29 St. Marcellinus, 296-304.
30 St. Marcellus, 308-309.
31 St. Eusebius, 309-310.
32 St. Melchiades, 311-314.
33 St. Sylvester I, 314-335. During his pontificate, the first ecumenical council (in Nicaea) was held.
*Construction of St. Peter's Basilica begins in 330.
*Seat of the Roman Empire was moved to Constantinople in 331.
34 St. Mark, 336. His papacy was cut short within the year.
35 St. Julius I, 337-352. He strongly defended the Council of Nicaea's teaching on the divinity of Christ.
36 Liberius, 352-366.
37 St. Damascus, 366-384. He authorized a new Latin translation of the New Testament.
*Barbarian invasions begin in 375 and continue to 568.
38 St. Siricius, 384-399.
39 St. Anastasius, 399-401.
40 St. Innocent I, 401-417.
41 St. Zosimus, 417-418.
42 St. Boniface I, 418-422. He is the author of this familiar axiom, "Rome has spoken; the cause is finished."
43 St. Celestine I, 422-432. The Council of Ephesus was held during his pontificate.
44 St. Sixtus III, 432-440. He showed remarkable leadership for building Church unity.
45 St. Leo I (the Great), 440-461. He and Pope Gregory (590-604) are the only two popes to be called "the Great." Leo courageously confronted Attila the Hun and neutralized other barbaric invaders.
46 St. Hilary, 461-468.
47 St. Simplicius, 468-483.
48 St. Felix III. 483-492.
49 St. Gelasius, 492-496. He was first pope to be called "Vicar of Christ."
50 Anastasius II, 496-498.
51 St. Symmachus, 498-515.
52 St. Hormisdas, 514-523.
53 St. John I, 523-526. He was first pope to travel to the East (Constantinople).
54 St. Felix IV, 526-530.
55 Boniface II, 530-532. He was the first pope of German extraction.
56 John II, 533-535.
57 Agapitus, 535-536. He strongly opposed the Arian heresy, which held that that Jesus Christ was not the Son of God.
58 St. Silverius, 536-537. He was the first pope to resign his office.
59 Vigilius, 537-555.
60 Pelagius I, 556-561
61 John III, 561-574.
*Muhammad (570-632), the founder of Islam, was born during John III's papacy.
62 Benedict I, 575-579.
63 Pelagius II, 579-590. He was the second pope of German extraction.
64 St. Gregory I (the Great), 590-604. The first pope to have been a monk, his name is closely associated with Gregorian chant.
65 Sabinian, 604-606.
66 Boniface III, 607. He died of natural causes nine months into his papacy.
67 Boniface IV, 608-615. His pastoral style was modeled on Pope Gregory's papacy.
68 St. Deusdedit, 615-618. During his pontificate, Rome suffered the ravages of an earthquake and the plague.
69 Boniface IV, 619-625. Known for his compassion for the poor, he distributed his entire wealth to the needy.
70 Honorius, 625-638.
71 Severinus, 640. He died two months after his consecration.
72 John IV, 640-642.
73 Theodore I, 642-649.
74 St. Martin I, 649-655. He was the last pope to be recognized as a martyr.
75 St. Eugene I, 654-657.
76 St. Vitalian, 657-672.
77 Adeodatus II, 672-676.
78 Donus, 676-678.
79 St. Agatho, 678-681. He restored friendly relations between Rome and Constantinople.
80 St. Leo II, 682-683. He was very pastoral in helping the poor and in advancing the quality of Church music.
81 St. Benedict II, 684-685.
82 John V, 685-686. Illness marked his entire pontificate.
83 Conon, 686-687.
84 St. Sergius, 687-701. He introduced the singing of the "Lamb of God" at Mass.
85 John VI, 701-705.
86 John VII. 705-707.
87 Sisinnius, 708. He died of natural causes twenty days after his election.
88 Constantine, 708-715. He spent one full year in Constantinople to improve relations between Rome and the East.
89 St. Gregory II, 715-731.
90 St. Gregory III, 731-741. He promoted missionary efforts to Germany and England.
91 St. Zachary, 741-752.
92 Stephen II, 752-757.
93 St. Paul I, 757-767. Brother and close advisor of Pope Stephen II, he is the only example of a new pope succeeding his older brother.
94 Stephen III, 768-772.
95 Adrian I, 772-795. Peaceful conditions allowed him to build and restore many churches in Rome.
96 St. Leo III, 795-816.
*Charlesmagne is crowned the first Holy Roman Emperor in 800.
97 Stephen IV, 816-817.
98 St. Paschal I, 817-824.
99 Eugene II, 824-827.
100 Valentine, 827. He died less than two months after being consecrated.
101 Gregory IV, 827-844.
102 Sergius II, 844-847.
103 St. Leo IV, 847-855.
104 Benedict III, 855-858.
105 St. Nicholas I, 858-867.
106 Adrian II, 867-872.
107 John VIII. 872-882. The first pope to be assassinated, poison was the cause of death.
108 Marinus I, 882-884.
109 Adrian III, 884-885.
110 Stephen V, 885-891.
111 Formosus, 891-896.
112 Boniface, 896. He died of natural causes after about fifteen days in office.
113 Stephen VI, 896-897.
114 Romanus, 897. Little is known of his short pontificate.
115 Theodore II, 897. He was in office about twenty days.
116 John IX, 898-900.
117 Benedict IV, 900-903.
118 Leo V, 903. He was overthrown after less than two months in office.
119 Sergius, 904-911. He represents one of the most corrupt periods of the papacy.
120 Anastasius, 911-913.
121 Lando, 913-914.
122 John X, 914-928. He entire pontificate was filled with political intrigue.
123 Leo VI, 928.
124 Stephen VII, 928-931.
125 John XI, 931-935.
126 Leo VII, 936-939.
127 Stephen VIII, 939-942.
128 Marinus II, 942-946.
129 Agapitus, 946-955.
130 John XII, 955-964.
131 Leo VIII, 963-965.
132 Benedict V, 964-966. At one point, King Otto deported Benedict and reinstated the previous pope, Leo VIII.
*Poland is Christianized beginning in 966.
133 John XIII, 966-972. There is confusion about the legitimate claims to the papacy from Leo III to John XIII.
134 Benedict VI, 973-974.
135 Benedict VII, 974-983. He increased the frequency of "ad limina visits." That practice still continues today, each diocesan bishops meets personally with the pope to discuss the state of the diocese.
136 John XIV, 983-984. Changed name to John since he was unwilling to keep his baptismal name of Peter.
137 John XV, 985-996. The first pope to formally canonize a saint (St. Ulric in 993).
138 Gregory V, 972-999. The first German pope.
139 Sylvester II, 999-1003. The first French pope.
140 John XVII, 1003. Authorized Polish missionaries to work among the Slavs.
141 John XVIII, 1004-1009. Abdicated the papacy shortly before his death to become a monk.
142 Sergius IV, 1009-1012. He changed name to Sergius since he was unwilling to keep his baptismal name of Peter.
143 Benedict VIII, 1012-1024. He was the first of three laymen who were consecutively elected to the papacy.
144 John XIX, 1024-1032. He succeeded his older brother Benedict VIII to the papacy.
145 Benedict IX, 1032-1044.
146 Sylvester III, 1045.
147 Gregory VI, 1045-1046.
148 Clement, 1046-1047.
149 Damasus, 1048. He died of malaria early in his papacy.
150 St. Leo IX, 1049-1054.
151 Victor II, 1055-1057.
152 Stephen IX, 1057-1058.
153 Nicholas, 1058-1061. He changed procedures for electing a pope, only allowed cardinal electors.
154 Alexander II, 1061-1073. He was known as a reformer pope.
155 St. Gregory VII, 1072-1085. He expanded the reformist agenda of Alexander II.
156 Blessed Victor III, 1086-1087.
157 Blessed Urban II, 1088-1099.
*The first university with the authority to grant degrees is established in Italy in 1088.
*The Crusades, a series of attacks by Western Christians against the Muslims to take control over Jerusalem, continues for the next 92 years.
158 Paschal II, 1099-1118.
159 Gelasius II, 1118-1119.
160 Callistus, 1119-1124.
161 Honorius II, 1124-1130.
162 Innocent II, 1130-1143. He convened the Second Lateran Council in 1139.
163 Celestine II, 1143-1144.
164 Lucius II, 1144-1145.
165 Blessed Eugene II, 1145-1153. He proclaimed the Second Crusade in 1145.
166 Anastasius, 1153-1154.
167 Adrian IV, 1154-1159. He was the first and only English pope.
168 Alexander III, 1159-1181. He imposed penance on King Henry II for the murder of St. Thomas of Becket (1172).
169 Lucius III, 1181-1185. Spent most of his pontificate outside of Rome.
170 Urban III, 1185-1187.
171 Gregory VIII, 1187. He was elected at age 87 and died two months later.
172 Clement III, 1187-1191. He was preoccupied with plans for launching the Third Crusade.
173 Celestine III, 1191-1198.
174 Innocent III, 1198-1216. He was the highpoint of the medieval papacy and exercised considerable political and spiritual power.
*In 1215, King John issues the Magna Carta.
175 Honorius III, 1216-1227. He approved rules for the new Franciscan, Dominican, and Carmelite orders.
176 Gregory IX, 1227-1241. He canonized Francis of Assissi in 1226, Anthony of Padua in 1232, and Dominic in 1234.
177 Celestine IV, 1241. He died of natural causes about two weeks after being elected.
178 Innocent IV, 1243-1254. He was first pope to approve the use of torture in the Inquisition to obtain evidence of heresy.
179 Alexander IV, 1254-1261. He canonized Clare of Assisi.
180 Urban IV, 1261-1264.
*The highpoint of Gothic architecture, the massive Chartres Cathedral, is consecrated in 1260.
181 Clement IV, 1265-1268.
*St. Thomas Aquinas begins writing the SummaTheologica, which unifies faith and reason.
182 Blessed Gregory X, 1272-1276. This conclave met for three years to elect a new pope.
183 Blessed Innocent V, 1276. He was the first Dominican pope, the papal custom of wearing a white cassock probably originated with this pope.
184 Adrian V, 1276. He died only five weeks after his election.
185 John XXI, 1276-1277. He was the first and only medical doctor to be pope.
186 Nicholas, 1277-1280. He was the first pope to make the Vatican Palace his residence.
187 Martin IV, 1281-1285.
188 Honorius IV, 1285-1287.
189 Nicholas IV, 1288-1292. He was the first Franciscan to be elected pope.
*The Crusades formally end in 1291.
190 St. Celestine V, 1294. He was one of the very few popes to resign from the papacy.
191 Boniface VIII, 1294-1303.
192 Blessed Benedict XI, 1303-1304.
193 Clement V, 1305-1314. His papacy began the period known as the Avignon popes.
194 John XXII, 1316-1334. He was the second of the Avignon popes.
195 Benedict XII, 1335-1342.
196 Clement VI, 1342-1352. He advanced the practice of indulgences, the abuse of which would contribute to the Protestant Reformation 200 years later.
*The bubonic plague kills one-third of Europe's population between 1348 and 1350.
197 Innocent VI, 1352-1362.
198 Blessed Urban V, 1362-1370.
199 Gregory XI, 1371-1378. Persuaded by Saint Catherine of Siena to return the seat of the papacy to Rome, he was the last of the Avignon popes.
200 Urban VI, 1378-1389. He was the last non-cardinal to be elected pope. The years 1378-1417 are known as "the Great Western Schism," a period of crisis when rival popes claimed papal authority.
201 Boniface IX, 1389-1404.
202 Innocent VII, 1404-1406.
203 Gregory XII, 1406-1415.
204 Martin V, 1417-1431. His election to the papacy marked the end of the Great Western Schism.
205 Eugene IV, 1431-1447. He was unsuccessful in trying to reestablish union between Latin and Greek Churches.
206 Nicholas V, 1447-1455. He was the first of the Renaissance popes and a strong patron of the arts.
207 Callistus III, 1455-1458. He was the first Spanish pope. He reopened the case of Joan of Arc and declared her innocent of witchcraft.
*The Gutenberg Bible is printed.
208 Pius II, 1458-1464. He canonized Catherine of Siena.
209 Paul II, 1464-1471. He reneged on promise to reform the Church.
210 Sixtus IV, 1471-1484. He built the Sistine Chapel.
211 Innocent VIII, 1484-1492.
212 Alexander VI, 1492-1503.
*Christopher Columbus lands in America.
213 Pius III, 1503. He died only seventeen days after his consecration as pope.
214 Julius II, 1503-1513. He commissioned plans for the new St. Peter's Basilica.
215 Leo X, 1513-1521. The Protestant Reformation began during Leo's pontificate.
216 Adrian VI, 1522-1523. He was the first pope of the Catholic Counter-Reformation.
217 Clement VII, 1523-1534. Clement is the pope who refused to grant King Henry VIII a divorce from Catherine of Aragon.
218 Paul III, 1534-1549. He convened the Council of Trent and worked for Church renewal.
*In 1543, Copernicus disputes that Earth is the center of the universe.
219 Julius III, 1550-1555.
220 Marcellus II, 1555. He died of a stroke less than one month after election to papacy.
221 Paul IV, 1555-1559. He is the pope who created the Index of Forbidden Books.
222 Pius V, 1559-1565. He reconvened the Council of Trent, after it had been suspended for ten years.
223 St. Pius V, 1566-1572. He enforced the decrees of the Council of Trent and published the Roman Catechism.
224 Gregory XIII, 1572-1585. He adopted the Gregorian calendar, which is still in use today. He also was a strong supporter of the missions in India, China, and Japan.
225 Sixtus V, 1585-1590. He reorganized the Roman Curia, which then remained unchanged until Vatican II.
226 Urban VII, 1590. He died of malaria, one week after his election.
227 Gregory XIV, 1590-1591.
228 Innocent IX, 1591.
229 Clement VIII, 1592-1605. He was the fourth pope elected within a period of 1 1/2 years.
230 Leo XI, 1605. In poor health when elected pope, he died less than one month after the election.
231 Paul V, 1605-1621. Known for his positive accomplishments in Church renewal, ironically, he is best remembered as the pope who censured Galileo for teaching the Earth revolves around the sun.
232 Gregory XV, 1621-1623. He introduced the idea of electing a pope by secret ballot. He also canonized Teresa of Avila, Ignatius of Loyola, and Francis Xavier.
233 Urban VIII, 1623-1644. He is the pope who consecrated the new St. Peter's Basilica.
234 Innocent X, 1644-1655.
235 Alexander VII, 1655-1667. He allowed missionaries in China to use Chinese rites.
*In 1666, Newton discovers the Law of Gravity.
236 Clement IX, 1667-1669.
237 Clement X, 1670-1676.
238 Blessed Innocent XI, 1676-1689. He is widely admired for positive contributions to preaching and catechesis.
239 Alexander VIII, 1689-1691.
240 Innocent XII, 1691-1700. Known and respected as a reformist pope, especially in simplifying administrative procedures.
241 Clement XI, 1700-1721. He is the pope who made the feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8) a universal holy day of obligation.
242 Innocent XIII, 1721-1724.
243 Benedict XIII, 1724-1730.
244 Clement XII, 1730-1740.
245 Benedict XIV, 1740-1758. He is the author of the first papal encyclical, The Duties of Bishops.
246 Clement XIII, 1758-1769
247 Clement XIV, 1769-1774.
248 Pius VI, 1775-1799. He denounced the French Revolution and was later imprisoned by Napoleon.
*The American Declaration of Independence is signed in 1776.
249 Pius VII, 1800-1823.
*In 1804, Napoleon declares himself emperor of France.
250 Leo XII, 1823-1829. He called a Holy Year in 1825 to strengthen the bond between the papacy and Catholics.
251 Pius VIII, 1829-1830. He approved the decrees of the First Council of Baltimore.
252 Gregory XVI, 1831-1846. He was the last monk to be elected pope.
253 Pius IX, 1846-1878. His thirty-one year pontificate is the longest in history. He called the First Vatican Council, which defined papal infallibility and supremacy.
*The American Civil War takes place between 1861-1865.
*Charles Darwin publishes his theory of evolution.
254 Leo XIII, 1878-1903. Known for his efforts to bring the Church into open dialogue with the world, Leo XIII is considered the first of the modern popes. His encyclical "Of New Things" continues to be the standard of the Church's commitment to social justic
255 St. Pius X, 1903-1914. His papal motto was, "To restore all things in Christ." He is widely admired for lowering the age for First Communion to age seven.
*In 1908, Henry Ford introduces the world's first automobile.
256 Benedict XV, 1914-1922. He is remembered as a peacemaker both within the Church and among the countries who participated in World War I.
257 Pius XI, 1922-1939. Pius XI is the first pope to use the radio as a means of pastorally reaching the world.
258 Pius XII, 1939-1958. His papacy was indelibly marked by the times--namely, World War II and the following cold war period. He devoted his energy to world peace, fighting Communism, and to Marian piety.
*In 1957, the Soviet Union successfully launches the first satellite.
259 John XXIII, 1958-1963. Perhaps the most beloved of all popes, John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council whose impact includes expanding the role of the laity, liturgical renewal, collegiality of bishops, and ecumenism.
*Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring ushers in the ecology movement.
260 Paul VI, 1963-1978. He continued the work of Vatican II and became the first pope to travel around the world by airplane.
261 John Paul I, 1978. He was the first pope to take a double name. Death of natural causes ended his short pontificate of 33 days.
262 John Paul II, 1978-2005. The first Polish pope in history is also the most traveled pope in history. His extensive writings and speeches cover just about every major issue from freedom to materialism, to the modern search for meaning and the sacred, to world peace to social justice among all countries--rich and poor.
Your list of popes comes from pages 64-65 of THE STORY OF THE POPE - Dell publication, copyright 1957; Nihil Obstat, John A. Goddwine, JCD, censor librorum, Imprimatur Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York, since your list numbers the popes at 258 between Peter and Pius XII.

What about the other two Roman Catholic publications that show two different lists than the one you show?
  • THE FAITH OF MILLIONS - author, John A. O'Brien, Ph.D. Copyright 1938, published by Our Sunday Visitor (Roman Catholic newspaper), Nihil Obstat Rev. T. E. Dillon, Censor Librorum; Imprimatur, John Francis Noll, DD, Bishop of Fort Wayne, on pages 67-70 lists 261 popes from Peter to Pius XII. This book shows pope #137 as John XIV, and pope #207 as Martin V. The following statement on page 70 of this book reads:[list:16beb]
    "Of the 261 popes from St. Peter to Pius XII, 83 are honored as saints, 7 as blessed and 33 were martyred; they constitute a distinguished list of holy and saintly men, linking the Church with Christ and constituting the Title Deed of the Catholic Church - the one true Church of Jesus Christ on earth."

And the list of popes on pages 66-67 of the Roman Catholic book, WHAT'S THE TRUTH ABOUT CATHOLICS? - author, Rev. John A.O'Brien, Copyright 1950, published by Our Sunday Visitor, Nihil Obstat Rev. Msgr. T. E. Dillon, Censor Librorum; Imprimatur John Francis Noll, DD, Bishop of Fort Wayne, has a total number of popes from Peter to Pius XII at 262. This list lists pope #137 as Donus II, and pope #207 as John XXII or XXIII or XXIV. Pope #5 is shown as Anacletus, however in the previous book, Faith of Millions, pope #5 is Evaristus! A report released January 18, 1947 gives the following information:

  • "Pope Donus" was found to be "a person who never existed!" In addition, designation of sainthood was removed from Felix II, Liberius, Anastasio, Stephen III, Stephen V!
The poor, deluded, unsuspecting Roman Catholic people had been praying to these non-existent "saints" for centruies with the official approval of the same Roman Catholic Church that now says it was all a mistake! What a horrible fraud!

A copy of the Jan. 18, 1947 news article from Vatican City can be obtained from any Public Library. It was carried on the front page of the Phila. Inquirer, and in the New York Times. It was titled, "VATICAN DROPS 6 NAMES FROM LIST OF POPES."
[/list:u:16beb]
 
Apostolic_Believer said:
ok...i found a better timeline for you!!

1 St. Peter, d. ca. 64. The first disciple called by Jesus; he is also credited with writing two Letters that appear in the New Testament. The first pope to be martyred and the first pope to be named a saint.
2 St. Linus, 67-76.
3 St. Anacletus (Cletus), 76-88. His name is commemorated in Eucharist Prayer I.
4 St. Clement I, 88-97. He is also known as Clement of Rome.
5 St. Evaristus, 97-105.
6 St. Alexander I, 105-115. Inaugurated the custom of blessing houses with holy water.
7 St. Sixtus I, 115-125. The Latin name Sixtus means "sixth", the sixth successor of Peter.
8 St. Telesphoros, 125-136. Inaugurated the seven-week fast before Easter.
9 St. Hyginus, 136-140. Along with St. Justin Martyr, Hyginus was well-known for defending the Church.
10 St. Pius I, 140-155. The first pope to function as Bishop of Rome.
11 St. Anicetus, 155-166.
12 St. Soter, 166-175. Introduced Easter as an annual liturgical feast in Rome.
13 St. Eleutherius, 175-189. Served as a deacon to Pope Anicetus.
14 St. Victor I, 189-198. The first African pope.
15 St. Zephrynus, 199-217.
16 St. Callistus I, 217-222.
17 St. Urban I, 222-230.
18 St. Pontian, 230-235. The first pope to abdicate his office.
19 St. Anterus, 235-236. Died a natural death after serving as pope for less than two months.
20 St. Fabian, 236-250. One of the most respected popes of the early Church.
21 St. Cornelius, 251-253.
22 St. Lucius I, 253-254.
23 St. Stephen I, 254-257.
24 St. Sixtus II, 257-258. This highly venerated martyr was beheaded by order of the Emperor Valerian.
25 St. Dionysius, 260-268. His election to the papacy was delayed because of Christian persecution in Rome.
26 St. Felix I, 269-274.
27 St. Eutychian, 274-283.
28 St. Caius, 283-296. The Roman Empire is partitioned into West and East.
29 St. Marcellinus, 296-304.
30 St. Marcellus, 308-309.
31 St. Eusebius, 309-310.
32 St. Melchiades, 311-314.
33 St. Sylvester I, 314-335. During his pontificate, the first ecumenical council (in Nicaea) was held.
*Construction of St. Peter's Basilica begins in 330.
*Seat of the Roman Empire was moved to Constantinople in 331.
34 St. Mark, 336. His papacy was cut short within the year.
35 St. Julius I, 337-352. He strongly defended the Council of Nicaea's teaching on the divinity of Christ.
36 Liberius, 352-366.
37 St. Damascus, 366-384. He authorized a new Latin translation of the New Testament.
*Barbarian invasions begin in 375 and continue to 568.
38 St. Siricius, 384-399.
39 St. Anastasius, 399-401.
40 St. Innocent I, 401-417.
41 St. Zosimus, 417-418.
42 St. Boniface I, 418-422. He is the author of this familiar axiom, "Rome has spoken; the cause is finished."
43 St. Celestine I, 422-432. The Council of Ephesus was held during his pontificate.
44 St. Sixtus III, 432-440. He showed remarkable leadership for building Church unity.
45 St. Leo I (the Great), 440-461. He and Pope Gregory (590-604) are the only two popes to be called "the Great." Leo courageously confronted Attila the Hun and neutralized other barbaric invaders.
46 St. Hilary, 461-468.
47 St. Simplicius, 468-483.
48 St. Felix III. 483-492.
49 St. Gelasius, 492-496. He was first pope to be called "Vicar of Christ."
50 Anastasius II, 496-498.
51 St. Symmachus, 498-515.
52 St. Hormisdas, 514-523.
53 St. John I, 523-526. He was first pope to travel to the East (Constantinople).
54 St. Felix IV, 526-530.
55 Boniface II, 530-532. He was the first pope of German extraction.
56 John II, 533-535.
57 Agapitus, 535-536. He strongly opposed the Arian heresy, which held that that Jesus Christ was not the Son of God.
58 St. Silverius, 536-537. He was the first pope to resign his office.
59 Vigilius, 537-555.
60 Pelagius I, 556-561
61 John III, 561-574.
*Muhammad (570-632), the founder of Islam, was born during John III's papacy.
62 Benedict I, 575-579.
63 Pelagius II, 579-590. He was the second pope of German extraction.
64 St. Gregory I (the Great), 590-604. The first pope to have been a monk, his name is closely associated with Gregorian chant.
65 Sabinian, 604-606.
66 Boniface III, 607. He died of natural causes nine months into his papacy.
67 Boniface IV, 608-615. His pastoral style was modeled on Pope Gregory's papacy.
68 St. Deusdedit, 615-618. During his pontificate, Rome suffered the ravages of an earthquake and the plague.
69 Boniface IV, 619-625. Known for his compassion for the poor, he distributed his entire wealth to the needy.
70 Honorius, 625-638.
71 Severinus, 640. He died two months after his consecration.
72 John IV, 640-642.
73 Theodore I, 642-649.
74 St. Martin I, 649-655. He was the last pope to be recognized as a martyr.
75 St. Eugene I, 654-657.
76 St. Vitalian, 657-672.
77 Adeodatus II, 672-676.
78 Donus, 676-678.
79 St. Agatho, 678-681. He restored friendly relations between Rome and Constantinople.
80 St. Leo II, 682-683. He was very pastoral in helping the poor and in advancing the quality of Church music.
81 St. Benedict II, 684-685.
82 John V, 685-686. Illness marked his entire pontificate.
83 Conon, 686-687.
84 St. Sergius, 687-701. He introduced the singing of the "Lamb of God" at Mass.
85 John VI, 701-705.
86 John VII. 705-707.
87 Sisinnius, 708. He died of natural causes twenty days after his election.
88 Constantine, 708-715. He spent one full year in Constantinople to improve relations between Rome and the East.
89 St. Gregory II, 715-731.
90 St. Gregory III, 731-741. He promoted missionary efforts to Germany and England.
91 St. Zachary, 741-752.
92 Stephen II, 752-757.
93 St. Paul I, 757-767. Brother and close advisor of Pope Stephen II, he is the only example of a new pope succeeding his older brother.
94 Stephen III, 768-772.
95 Adrian I, 772-795. Peaceful conditions allowed him to build and restore many churches in Rome.
96 St. Leo III, 795-816.
*Charlesmagne is crowned the first Holy Roman Emperor in 800.
97 Stephen IV, 816-817.
98 St. Paschal I, 817-824.
99 Eugene II, 824-827.
100 Valentine, 827. He died less than two months after being consecrated.
101 Gregory IV, 827-844.
102 Sergius II, 844-847.
103 St. Leo IV, 847-855.
104 Benedict III, 855-858.
105 St. Nicholas I, 858-867.
106 Adrian II, 867-872.
107 John VIII. 872-882. The first pope to be assassinated, poison was the cause of death.
108 Marinus I, 882-884.
109 Adrian III, 884-885.
110 Stephen V, 885-891.
111 Formosus, 891-896.
112 Boniface, 896. He died of natural causes after about fifteen days in office.
113 Stephen VI, 896-897.
114 Romanus, 897. Little is known of his short pontificate.
115 Theodore II, 897. He was in office about twenty days.
116 John IX, 898-900.
117 Benedict IV, 900-903.
118 Leo V, 903. He was overthrown after less than two months in office.
119 Sergius, 904-911. He represents one of the most corrupt periods of the papacy.
120 Anastasius, 911-913.
121 Lando, 913-914.
122 John X, 914-928. He entire pontificate was filled with political intrigue.
123 Leo VI, 928.
124 Stephen VII, 928-931.
125 John XI, 931-935.
126 Leo VII, 936-939.
127 Stephen VIII, 939-942.
128 Marinus II, 942-946.
129 Agapitus, 946-955.
130 John XII, 955-964.
131 Leo VIII, 963-965.
132 Benedict V, 964-966. At one point, King Otto deported Benedict and reinstated the previous pope, Leo VIII.
*Poland is Christianized beginning in 966.
133 John XIII, 966-972. There is confusion about the legitimate claims to the papacy from Leo III to John XIII.
134 Benedict VI, 973-974.
135 Benedict VII, 974-983. He increased the frequency of "ad limina visits." That practice still continues today, each diocesan bishops meets personally with the pope to discuss the state of the diocese.
136 John XIV, 983-984. Changed name to John since he was unwilling to keep his baptismal name of Peter.
137 John XV, 985-996. The first pope to formally canonize a saint (St. Ulric in 993).
138 Gregory V, 972-999. The first German pope.
139 Sylvester II, 999-1003. The first French pope.
140 John XVII, 1003. Authorized Polish missionaries to work among the Slavs.
141 John XVIII, 1004-1009. Abdicated the papacy shortly before his death to become a monk.
142 Sergius IV, 1009-1012. He changed name to Sergius since he was unwilling to keep his baptismal name of Peter.
143 Benedict VIII, 1012-1024. He was the first of three laymen who were consecutively elected to the papacy.
144 John XIX, 1024-1032. He succeeded his older brother Benedict VIII to the papacy.
145 Benedict IX, 1032-1044.
146 Sylvester III, 1045.
147 Gregory VI, 1045-1046.
148 Clement, 1046-1047.
149 Damasus, 1048. He died of malaria early in his papacy.
150 St. Leo IX, 1049-1054.
151 Victor II, 1055-1057.
152 Stephen IX, 1057-1058.
153 Nicholas, 1058-1061. He changed procedures for electing a pope, only allowed cardinal electors.
154 Alexander II, 1061-1073. He was known as a reformer pope.
155 St. Gregory VII, 1072-1085. He expanded the reformist agenda of Alexander II.
156 Blessed Victor III, 1086-1087.
157 Blessed Urban II, 1088-1099.
*The first university with the authority to grant degrees is established in Italy in 1088.
*The Crusades, a series of attacks by Western Christians against the Muslims to take control over Jerusalem, continues for the next 92 years.
158 Paschal II, 1099-1118.
159 Gelasius II, 1118-1119.
160 Callistus, 1119-1124.
161 Honorius II, 1124-1130.
162 Innocent II, 1130-1143. He convened the Second Lateran Council in 1139.
163 Celestine II, 1143-1144.
164 Lucius II, 1144-1145.
165 Blessed Eugene II, 1145-1153. He proclaimed the Second Crusade in 1145.
166 Anastasius, 1153-1154.
167 Adrian IV, 1154-1159. He was the first and only English pope.
168 Alexander III, 1159-1181. He imposed penance on King Henry II for the murder of St. Thomas of Becket (1172).
169 Lucius III, 1181-1185. Spent most of his pontificate outside of Rome.
170 Urban III, 1185-1187.
171 Gregory VIII, 1187. He was elected at age 87 and died two months later.
172 Clement III, 1187-1191. He was preoccupied with plans for launching the Third Crusade.
173 Celestine III, 1191-1198.
174 Innocent III, 1198-1216. He was the highpoint of the medieval papacy and exercised considerable political and spiritual power.
*In 1215, King John issues the Magna Carta.
175 Honorius III, 1216-1227. He approved rules for the new Franciscan, Dominican, and Carmelite orders.
176 Gregory IX, 1227-1241. He canonized Francis of Assissi in 1226, Anthony of Padua in 1232, and Dominic in 1234.
177 Celestine IV, 1241. He died of natural causes about two weeks after being elected.
178 Innocent IV, 1243-1254. He was first pope to approve the use of torture in the Inquisition to obtain evidence of heresy.
179 Alexander IV, 1254-1261. He canonized Clare of Assisi.
180 Urban IV, 1261-1264.
*The highpoint of Gothic architecture, the massive Chartres Cathedral, is consecrated in 1260.
181 Clement IV, 1265-1268.
*St. Thomas Aquinas begins writing the SummaTheologica, which unifies faith and reason.
182 Blessed Gregory X, 1272-1276. This conclave met for three years to elect a new pope.
183 Blessed Innocent V, 1276. He was the first Dominican pope, the papal custom of wearing a white cassock probably originated with this pope.
184 Adrian V, 1276. He died only five weeks after his election.
185 John XXI, 1276-1277. He was the first and only medical doctor to be pope.
186 Nicholas, 1277-1280. He was the first pope to make the Vatican Palace his residence.
187 Martin IV, 1281-1285.
188 Honorius IV, 1285-1287.
189 Nicholas IV, 1288-1292. He was the first Franciscan to be elected pope.
*The Crusades formally end in 1291.
190 St. Celestine V, 1294. He was one of the very few popes to resign from the papacy.
191 Boniface VIII, 1294-1303.
192 Blessed Benedict XI, 1303-1304.
193 Clement V, 1305-1314. His papacy began the period known as the Avignon popes.
194 John XXII, 1316-1334. He was the second of the Avignon popes.
195 Benedict XII, 1335-1342.
196 Clement VI, 1342-1352. He advanced the practice of indulgences, the abuse of which would contribute to the Protestant Reformation 200 years later.
*The bubonic plague kills one-third of Europe's population between 1348 and 1350.
197 Innocent VI, 1352-1362.
198 Blessed Urban V, 1362-1370.
199 Gregory XI, 1371-1378. Persuaded by Saint Catherine of Siena to return the seat of the papacy to Rome, he was the last of the Avignon popes.
200 Urban VI, 1378-1389. He was the last non-cardinal to be elected pope. The years 1378-1417 are known as "the Great Western Schism," a period of crisis when rival popes claimed papal authority.
201 Boniface IX, 1389-1404.
202 Innocent VII, 1404-1406.
203 Gregory XII, 1406-1415.
204 Martin V, 1417-1431. His election to the papacy marked the end of the Great Western Schism.
205 Eugene IV, 1431-1447. He was unsuccessful in trying to reestablish union between Latin and Greek Churches.
206 Nicholas V, 1447-1455. He was the first of the Renaissance popes and a strong patron of the arts.
207 Callistus III, 1455-1458. He was the first Spanish pope. He reopened the case of Joan of Arc and declared her innocent of witchcraft.
*The Gutenberg Bible is printed.
208 Pius II, 1458-1464. He canonized Catherine of Siena.
209 Paul II, 1464-1471. He reneged on promise to reform the Church.
210 Sixtus IV, 1471-1484. He built the Sistine Chapel.
211 Innocent VIII, 1484-1492.
212 Alexander VI, 1492-1503.
*Christopher Columbus lands in America.
213 Pius III, 1503. He died only seventeen days after his consecration as pope.
214 Julius II, 1503-1513. He commissioned plans for the new St. Peter's Basilica.
215 Leo X, 1513-1521. The Protestant Reformation began during Leo's pontificate.
216 Adrian VI, 1522-1523. He was the first pope of the Catholic Counter-Reformation.
217 Clement VII, 1523-1534. Clement is the pope who refused to grant King Henry VIII a divorce from Catherine of Aragon.
218 Paul III, 1534-1549. He convened the Council of Trent and worked for Church renewal.
*In 1543, Copernicus disputes that Earth is the center of the universe.
219 Julius III, 1550-1555.
220 Marcellus II, 1555. He died of a stroke less than one month after election to papacy.
221 Paul IV, 1555-1559. He is the pope who created the Index of Forbidden Books.
222 Pius V, 1559-1565. He reconvened the Council of Trent, after it had been suspended for ten years.
223 St. Pius V, 1566-1572. He enforced the decrees of the Council of Trent and published the Roman Catechism.
224 Gregory XIII, 1572-1585. He adopted the Gregorian calendar, which is still in use today. He also was a strong supporter of the missions in India, China, and Japan.
225 Sixtus V, 1585-1590. He reorganized the Roman Curia, which then remained unchanged until Vatican II.
226 Urban VII, 1590. He died of malaria, one week after his election.
227 Gregory XIV, 1590-1591.
228 Innocent IX, 1591.
229 Clement VIII, 1592-1605. He was the fourth pope elected within a period of 1 1/2 years.
230 Leo XI, 1605. In poor health when elected pope, he died less than one month after the election.
231 Paul V, 1605-1621. Known for his positive accomplishments in Church renewal, ironically, he is best remembered as the pope who censured Galileo for teaching the Earth revolves around the sun.
232 Gregory XV, 1621-1623. He introduced the idea of electing a pope by secret ballot. He also canonized Teresa of Avila, Ignatius of Loyola, and Francis Xavier.
233 Urban VIII, 1623-1644. He is the pope who consecrated the new St. Peter's Basilica.
234 Innocent X, 1644-1655.
235 Alexander VII, 1655-1667. He allowed missionaries in China to use Chinese rites.
*In 1666, Newton discovers the Law of Gravity.
236 Clement IX, 1667-1669.
237 Clement X, 1670-1676.
238 Blessed Innocent XI, 1676-1689. He is widely admired for positive contributions to preaching and catechesis.
239 Alexander VIII, 1689-1691.
240 Innocent XII, 1691-1700. Known and respected as a reformist pope, especially in simplifying administrative procedures.
241 Clement XI, 1700-1721. He is the pope who made the feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8) a universal holy day of obligation.
242 Innocent XIII, 1721-1724.
243 Benedict XIII, 1724-1730.
244 Clement XII, 1730-1740.
245 Benedict XIV, 1740-1758. He is the author of the first papal encyclical, The Duties of Bishops.
246 Clement XIII, 1758-1769
247 Clement XIV, 1769-1774.
248 Pius VI, 1775-1799. He denounced the French Revolution and was later imprisoned by Napoleon.
*The American Declaration of Independence is signed in 1776.
249 Pius VII, 1800-1823.
*In 1804, Napoleon declares himself emperor of France.
250 Leo XII, 1823-1829. He called a Holy Year in 1825 to strengthen the bond between the papacy and Catholics.
251 Pius VIII, 1829-1830. He approved the decrees of the First Council of Baltimore.
252 Gregory XVI, 1831-1846. He was the last monk to be elected pope.
253 Pius IX, 1846-1878. His thirty-one year pontificate is the longest in history. He called the First Vatican Council, which defined papal infallibility and supremacy.
*The American Civil War takes place between 1861-1865.
*Charles Darwin publishes his theory of evolution.
254 Leo XIII, 1878-1903. Known for his efforts to bring the Church into open dialogue with the world, Leo XIII is considered the first of the modern popes. His encyclical "Of New Things" continues to be the standard of the Church's commitment to social justic
255 St. Pius X, 1903-1914. His papal motto was, "To restore all things in Christ." He is widely admired for lowering the age for First Communion to age seven.
*In 1908, Henry Ford introduces the world's first automobile.
256 Benedict XV, 1914-1922. He is remembered as a peacemaker both within the Church and among the countries who participated in World War I.
257 Pius XI, 1922-1939. Pius XI is the first pope to use the radio as a means of pastorally reaching the world.
258 Pius XII, 1939-1958. His papacy was indelibly marked by the times--namely, World War II and the following cold war period. He devoted his energy to world peace, fighting Communism, and to Marian piety.
*In 1957, the Soviet Union successfully launches the first satellite.
259 John XXIII, 1958-1963. Perhaps the most beloved of all popes, John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council whose impact includes expanding the role of the laity, liturgical renewal, collegiality of bishops, and ecumenism.
*Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring ushers in the ecology movement.
260 Paul VI, 1963-1978. He continued the work of Vatican II and became the first pope to travel around the world by airplane.
261 John Paul I, 1978. He was the first pope to take a double name. Death of natural causes ended his short pontificate of 33 days.
262 John Paul II, 1978-2005. The first Polish pope in history is also the most traveled pope in history. His extensive writings and speeches cover just about every major issue from freedom to materialism, to the modern search for meaning and the sacred, to world peace to social justice among all countries--rich and poor.

Hi Apostolic-believer,

You need to add one more entry 2005 ff.

Timelines are a relatively modern - would you happen to know when such a list was first compiled? First occurrence or first mention is always good to know. I can see why any church wants to have the connection to the early church. Whether history has a break in the Apostolic succession or no - I don't know - such a break would occur if the man who sits in the chair is not himself apostolic (in other words if the Church chose a man whom God did not). Peter as an Apostle I can vouch for -whether he was in Rome I don't know. Are you comfortable with the list?
 
To continue with apostolic succession - wouldn't the outgoing pope need to pick his successor?

popes are voted on through an election. How is this an apostolic succession?

And no, voting is NOT the same thing as casting lots.
 
Articles like these show a profound ignorance on the origins of Catholic beliefs. Declaring something doctrine or 'prayers for the dead' followed by a year attempt to suggest one day the Pope up and decided to get everyone to start doing something new.

The reality is, Catholicism teaches what it taught in the 1st Century, nothing extra. As the years go by, things get declared doctrine or in the case of Vatican II and such, certain disciplines (procedures) are changed.

However wrote that clearly understood that they were being intellectually dishonest about it. Where is the line that say, "Pope tells everyone to start praying to Mary"... doesn't exist. Lines like 'prayers for the dead' exist as a way to confuse people about what happened. People in that year didn't just decide to start sending God requests to let people in Heaven know they want to be prayed for.
 
Speaking of profound ignorance...........Nevermind.
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