JOHN PAUL'S PONTIFICATE BECOMES THIRD LONGEST ON MARCH 14

VATICAN CITY, MAR 2, 2004 (VIS) - The pontificate of Pope John Paul II, who was elected as Successor of Peter on October 16, 1978 and who solemnly began his petrine ministry six days later, becomes the third longest in the history of the Church on March 14th. On that day he overtakes Pope Leo XIII who reigned for 25 years and 5 months.

John Paul II will follow St. Peter, whose precise dates are unknown and Pope Pius IX, whose pontificate lasted over 31 years, from his election on June 16, 1846 to his death on February 7, 1878.

Starting from the date of his election, March 14 marks the 9,281st day of the Holy Father's pontificate. Calculating the length of pontificates took into account leap years.
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