Leading Figures in History

Discover the people who shaped our world — from rulers and scientists to artists and activists.

39106 persons found

Pope Benedict VII

Head of the Catholic Church from 974 to 983

Pope Benedict XI

Head of the Catholic Church from 1303 to 1304

Pope Benedict XII

Head of the Catholic Church from 1334 to 1342

Pope Benedict XIV

Head of the Catholic Church from 1740 to 1758

Pope Benedict XVI

b. 1927

Head of the Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013

Pope Boniface IV

Head of the Catholic Church from 608 to 615

Pope Caius

Head of the Catholic Church from 283 to 296

Pope Callixtus III

Head of the Catholic Church from 1455 to 1458

Pope Celestine V

Head of the Catholic Church in 1294

Pope Clement V

Head of the Catholic Church from 1305 to 1314

Pope Clement VII

b. 1478

Head of the Catholic Church from 1523 to 1534

Pope Clement X

b. 1590

17th-century head of the Catholic Church

Pope Clement XI

b. 1649

Head of the Catholic Church from 1700 to 1721

Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria

b. 1902

Head of the Coptic Church from 1959 to 1971

Pope Damasus II

Head of the Catholic Church in 1048

Pope Eugene I

Head of the Catholic Church from 654 to 657

Pope Eugene II

Head of the Catholic Church from 824 to 827

Pope Eugene III

Head of the Catholic Church from 1145 to 1153

Pope Francis

Head of the Catholic Church from 2013 to 2025

Pope Gregory IX

Head of the Catholic Church from 1227 to 1241

Pope Gregory VII

Head of the Catholic Church from 1073 to 1085

Pope Gregory XV

Head of the Catholic Church from 1621 to 1623

Pope Gregory XVI

Head of the Catholic Church from 1831 to 1846

Pope Hormisdas

Head of the Catholic Church from 514 to 523