Catholic Fun Facts

Total Number of Popes:

265

Most Common Name used by Popes:

John - There have been 23 Pope Johns

Longest Reigning Pope:

Pope Pius IX
1846-1878 (31 years, 7 months, 23 days)

Pope John Paul II comes in second place

1978-2005 (26 years, 5 months, 17 days)

Shortest Reigning Pope:

Pope Urban VII

Sept. 15, 1590 - Sept. 27, 1590 (13 days)

Canonized Popes:

76 Popes have been canonized saints - Pope John Paul II is currently in the beatification process and will most likely become the 77th canonized Pope.

Number of Catholic in America:

As of 2005, there was an estimated 66.3 million Catholics in the United States. That is approximately 22% of the total population.

Number of Catholics Worldwide:

According to the Vatican in 2005, there were 1.086 billion Catholics worldwide.

Countries with the most Catholics:

Brazil, Mexico, and the United States

Athletic History of the Vatican and Popes

Given the kickoff to the NFL season, it seemed appropriate to share this story about the athletic prowess and history of the Vatican:

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0904068.htm

If you want to know more about Pope John Paul II - outside the fact that he was the most athletic Pope in history - check out this book by Peggy Noonan.

John Paul the Great: Remembering a Spiritual Father.

http://www.stpatricksguild.com/browse.cfm/4,50328.html