JOHN PAUL II'S PONTIFICATE, THE SIXTH LONGEST IN HISTORY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 26, 2002 (VIS) - On Friday, March 29, Pope John Paul's pontificate will become the sixth longest in the history of the Church, including that of St. Peter. John Paul II is the 264th Roman Pontiff. He was elected on October 16, 1978 and his pontificate officially began on October 22. On March 29, he will have reigned one day longer than Pope Pius VII (23 years, 5 months and 6 days, according to the Vatican yearbook).

Only five Popes, including St. Peter, have reigned longer than the Holy Father. In ascending order, they are: Adrian I (23 years, 10 months, 24 days); Pius VI (24 years, 6 months, 7 days); Leo XIII (25 years, 5 months); Pius IX (31 years, 7 months, 21 days) and St. Peter (unknown dates).

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