KUCHING – The Catholic Church has been guided by many unique and diverse popes throughout its long and complex history. From humble beginnings to global influence, each pontiff left a lasting impact on the Church and the world.
The very first pope, St. Peter, served for 34 years after being chosen by Jesus himself. He spread the teachings of Christianity during dangerous times and was eventually crucified under the Roman Emperor Nero.
One of the earliest signs of diversity in the Church came in 96 AD, when Pope Evaristus, of Greek descent and born to a Jewish father from Bethlehem, became the first non-Italian to take the papacy.
In a surprising chapter of papal history, Benedict IX became pope in 1032 at just 12 years old—the youngest ever. His time as pope was chaotic; he was removed and re-elected three times before dying in 1056.
The Renaissance brought forward Pope Sixtus IV, elected in 1471, who used his papacy to promote art and architecture. He famously oversaw the creation of the Sistine Chapel, which was named after him.
Some popes served for only a short time. Pope Urban VII lasted just 13 days in 1590, dying of malaria. Despite the short tenure, he introduced bold reforms against nepotism and pushed for better public health.
The oldest serving pope, Leo XIII, passed away in 1903 at the age of 93. He served for 25 years, becoming a symbol of wisdom and endurance.
Pope John XXIII, elected in 1958, launched the Second Vatican Council in 1962 to modernise the Church. He encouraged services to be conducted in local languages and improved the Church’s engagement with the wider world.
In 1978, Pope John Paul II, from Poland, became the first non-Italian pope in over 450 years. He was also the youngest elected in more than a century at age 58. His leadership focused on unity, apology for past wrongs, and a strong stand against global violence.
Finally, Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world in 2013 by becoming the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign. Known for embracing technology and addressing the dark history of abuse in the Church, Benedict left behind a legacy of reform and reflection.
These popes, from different backgrounds and eras, led the Church through trial, change, and revival—proving that faith and leadership take many forms.
