TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Throughout its long history, the Catholic Church has seen several popes whose reigns lasted only days or weeks, often ending due to illness, political upheaval, or misfortune.
While Pope John Paul I’s 33-day papacy in 1978 is widely known for its brevity, ten others served even shorter terms.
Here is a list of the shortest papal reigns, as compiled by Pope History and Catholic News Agency:
1. Urban VII (13 Days)
Urban VII holds the record for the shortest reign in Church history. Giovanni Battista Castagna was elected on September 15, 1590, but died of malaria on September 27, 1590.
Despite serving only 13 days, he managed to make a significant impact, such as proposing strict measures against nepotism and attempting to implement health measures in Rome to combat the spread of diseases.
2. Boniface VI (16 Days)
Boniface VI served as pope for just 16 days in April 896. His election was controversial due to prior excommunications.
His brief and troubled reign occurred during the Saeculum Obscurum, a period of intense political strife and rapid papal turnover. Little is recorded about his leadership due to the turmoil of the era.
3. Celestine IV (17 Days)
The papal reign of Pope Celestine IV was also very brief, lasting only 17 days. It is the third shortest papacy in the history of the Church. He was elected pope on October 25, 1241, and died on November 10, 1241, before being consecrated.
As he died before being consecrated, this meant that Celestine IV did not enact significant policies or leave a substantial mark on Church history.
4. Theodore II (20 Days)
Theodore II served as pope for 20 days in December 897. He was beloved by the clergy and known for his generosity.
During his brief papacy, he annulled the infamous and cruel "Cadaver Synod," which had put the late Pope Formosus on trial, and ensured Formosus received a proper burial. Theodore II also reinstated priests who had been forced to resign.
5. Sisinnius (21 Days)
Sisinnius led the Church for 21 days in early 708. Hailing from Syria, he struggled with severe arthritis, to the point of being unable to feed himself.
Despite his health, Sisinnius ordered the strengthening of the walls of Rome in response to external threats, and successfully ordained a priest and consecrated a bishop before his death.
6. Marcellus II (22 Days)
Marcellus II reigned for approximately 22 days in 1555. Marcello Cervini was deeply involved in Church reform and Renaissance humanism, and played a significant role in the Council of Trent. He fell ill from overworking during the celebration of Holy Week, and his death ended a promising papacy before it could truly begin.
7. Damasus II (24 Days)
Damasus II reigned for 24 days in 1048. Appointed by Holy Roman Emperor Henry III, he died of malaria soon after taking office. Born as Poppo of Bavaria, his papacy was one of the shortest due to illness.
8. Pius III (27 Days)
Pius III held the papacy for 27 days in 1503. Francesco Todeschini, the nephew of Pope Pius II, was known for his honesty and diplomatic service. His papal tenure was cut short by illness, as he died at the age of 64 from complications related to a foot disease.
9. Leo XI (27 Days)
Leo XI ruled for 27 days in April 1605. Aged 69 and a member of the Medici family, Alessandro de Medici fell ill shortly after election. He had close ties with key religious figures like Saint Philip Neri.
10. Benedict V (33 Days)
Benedict V held office for 33 days in 964. He was a learned man whose reign was disrupted by the political intervention of the Holy Roman Emperor Otto I, who deposed him and sent him into exile.
11. John Paul I (33 Days)
John Paul I also served for 33 days, from August 26 to September 28, 1978. Known for his humility and accessible teachings, his sudden death stunned the world. He was the first pope to adopt a dual name, honoring John XXIII and Paul VI, and was beatified in 2022.
These brief papacies underscore the unpredictable nature of the role. Whether shortened by illness or disrupted by politics, even the shortest reigns reflect the enduring challenges and responsibilities of leading the Catholic Church.
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