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Which pope has served the longest?

26 April 2025

9:00 AM

26 April 2025

9:00 AM

Papal reign

The mostly elderly runners and riders to be the next pope are unlikely to challenge the record for the longest papal reign – still held by the very first pope, St Peter, who served for 34 years in the 1st century. The second-longest reign was the 31 years and 7 months served by Pius IX between 1846-78, while third was Pope John Paul II (1978-2005).

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