The fourth longest serving Pope in history

On Wednesday April 30, the reign of Pope John Paul II reached 24 years, 6 months and 8 days, one more day than the pontificate of Pius VI.

John Paul II thus takes fourth position in the classification of popes according to the length of their reign, after Leo XIII (1878-1903), whose reign lasted for twenty-five years and five months. The longest reign, 34 or 37, years,according to historians, was that of Saint Peter. Since then, only Pius IX has reigned longer than 30 years, from June 1846 to February 1878. Thirteen popes, on the other hand, have reigned for more than 20 years. John Paul II will celebrate his 83rd birthday on May 18.