Who was your Pope?
Through life’s ups and downs, our faith stands firm and true. Over many decades, our shepherd, the pope, has led the Catholic Church.
Who was your Pope?
Whether you just joined the Church or remember him as the guy who gets the shout-out at Mass, which papacy do you best remember?
Let's take a look back, one decade at a time!
1930s: Pope Pius XI & Pope Pius XII
Known as the missionary Pope, Pope Pius XI led the church through the start of World War I by writing his Papal letter Mit brennender Sorge, which defended human dignity.
He was also the first pope to use technology to evangelize with the establishment of Vatican Radio!
1940s: Pope Pius XII
Leading the Church during WWII, Pope Pius XII quietly aided war victims and was the first pope to appear on television. His first appearance was a message of peace during the Easter holiday.
1950s: Pope Pius XII & Pope John XXIII
Pope Pius XII taught us more about Our Blessed Mother by writing the Dogma of the Assumption!
Pope Saint John XXIII was known as the “Good Pope. He was known for his kindness and willingness to open the Church to the world, which he pursued by convening the Second Vatican Council.
1960s: Pope John XXIII & Pope Paul VI
Pope Saint John XXIII called the church to embrace the modern world and continued the Second Vatican Council.
Pope Saint Paul VI continued the council, focusing on liturgical reform. He also wrote his papal letter on love, known as Humanae Vitae.
1970s: Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul I & Pope John Paul II
Pope Saint Paul VI encouraged a new global evangelization with his papal letter, Evangelii Nuntiandi.
Pope Blessed John Paul I was the first pope to choose a double name and brought warmth to the papacy.
Pope Saint John Paul II was then introduced as the first non-Italian Pope in about four centuries, young and ready to travel the world.
1980s: Pope John Paul II
Despite the hardship of a failed assassination attempt, Pope Saint John Paul II showed the world how to suffer and forgive your persecutors just as Christ did. He touched millions by standing up for human rights and starting World Youth Day.
1990s: Pope John Paul II
With his age slowing his momentum, Pope Saint John Paul II's presence was powerful. He visited over 100 countries and united the Church with the release of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a collection of all Catholic teachings.
2000s: Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI was a brilliant theologian who reminded us how faith and reason complement each other. He met and challenged the abuse scandal, and was the first modern pope to resign.
2010s: Pope Francis
As the first pope from Latin America, Pope Francis brought mercy and Synodality to the Church. He invited us to care for our common home with his papal letter Laudato si'.
2020s: Pope Francis
Pope Francis initiated a multi-year church meeting called the Synod on Synodality, which focused on listening to all people of the Church.
We now enter a new era with Pope Leo XIV as the First American Pope!