The exact number of legitimate popes who have taken the name John is twenty-one.
Understanding the Papal Numbering Discrepancy
While there have been 21 legitimate Popes named John, the numbering sequence currently extends up to John XXIII. This means that the most recent Pope John recognized in the historical list is Pope John XXIII, despite only 21 individuals actually holding the legitimate title. The discrepancy arises from two specific historical clerical errors that were introduced during the Middle Ages.
Key Factors Leading to the Numbering Difference
- Inclusion of an Antipope: Historically, an individual known as Antipope John XVI was mistakenly included in the official numbering sequence. Antipopes are claimants to the papal office who are not considered legitimate by the Catholic Church. Their erroneous inclusion artificially inflated the sequence.
- Skipping a Number: The number XX (20) was intentionally skipped in the succession. When Pope John XIX died, his successor chose to be named John XXI, bypassing John XX. This decision further contributed to the gap between the actual number of popes and their assigned sequence number.
These two historical anomalies mean that the last legitimate Pope John was the 21st to hold the name, but he was numbered XXIII in the papal sequence. No subsequent pope has chosen the name John since John XXIII, who was elected in 1958.
| Aspect of Pope John Numbering | Detail |
|---|---|
| Actual Legitimate Popes | 21 |
| Highest Number Used | XXIII (John XXIII) |
| Reasons for Discrepancy | Inclusion of an antipope; intentional skipping of 'XX' |
