Many are actually unaware of the Vatican Observatory's existence, even though it's one of the oldest astronomical institutes ...

In the wake of the election of Pope Leo XIV, I thought it would be fun to make a list of my favorite popes from the long line of Leo XIV’s illustrious predecessors. Before I do so, it would be ...

Following the death of Pope Francis, the conclave of cardinals that gathered at the Vatican wasted little time choosing a new pope: Robert Prevost, 69, astoundingly a Chicago-born American, who ass… ...

Leo XIV: The modest missionary in Peru who became the first American pope Leo’s ascent occurred with remarkable speed. Just over two years ago, he’d been one of the church’s 5,400 bishops ...

Pope Leo XIV is in his first full day as the holy father with many more to come. “We didn’t expect an American to be Pope,” Gregory Treverton, a USC Professor, said.

For many centuries, new popes tended to choose the name of the pope who had elevated them to cardinal. John was the most popular, chosen by 23 popes, followed by Benedict and Gregory, each with 16.

But it has not always been so quick: The conclave that ended with the election of Pope Gregory X on Sept. 1, 1271, took two years, nine months and two days.

Leo XI (1605) After becoming pope on April 1, 1605, Leo XI only held the papacy for 26 days—one of history’s shortest reigns. He died on April 27. Leo XII (1823-1829) ...

Pope Leo XI's pontificate, which lasted less than a month from April 1, 1605, till his death on April 27, 1605, was among the shortest in history.

The next pope of that name, Leo XI, died after only 27 days in office, a reign shorter in 1605 than that of Blessed John Paul I in 1978.

His Holiness Pope John Paul II died on 2 April 2005 in the Vatican, in the 27th year of his pontificate, at the age of 84 years. John Paul I (Italy) – August 26, 1978 to September 28, 1978.

Pope Leo has two older brothers, Louis Martin and John Joseph, who recognised his Catholic Church ambitions from a young age. They even told him he’d be “pope one day”. “He knew right away. I don’t ...