How All Modern Popes Share a Common "Ancestor"
UsefulCharts・17 minutes read
The Roman Catholic Popes' family tree is not based on biological relationships but Episcopal genealogy, tracing back to the original Apostles appointed by Jesus. Various churches claim Apostolic succession, with over 90% of Catholic Bishops descending from Cardinal Cipion Riva, and the lineage of the last 12 popes can be traced back to him.
Insights
- The family tree of Roman Catholic Popes is based on Episcopal genealogy, not biological relationships, tracing back to the original Apostles appointed by Jesus, emphasizing Apostolic succession across various Christian denominations.
- Cardinal Cipion Riva's lineage, connecting to over 90% of Catholic Bishops today, plays a significant role in the lineage of the last 24 Popes, including Pope Francis, shaping key events such as the introduction of dogmas by Pope Pius IX, resolution of Vatican issues by Pope Pius XI, and the modernization efforts of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II's extensive global outreach.
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Recent questions
What is Apostolic succession?
The belief that Bishops trace lineage to Jesus' Apostles.
Who can trace their lineage back to Pope Clement XIII and Cardinal Cipion Riva?
Pope Francis can trace his Episcopal lineage back.
What did Pope Pius IX introduce during his papacy?
Immaculate Conception and papal infallibility dogmas.
What issue did Pope Pius XI resolve during his papacy?
Prisoner in the Vatican issue by creating Vatican City.
What did Pope John XXIII initiate during his papacy?
Vatican II Council aimed at modernizing the church.
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Summary
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Roman Catholic Popes' Episcopal Lineage and Succession
- The family tree of Roman Catholic Popes is based on Episcopal genealogy, not biological relationships.
- Apostolic succession is the belief that every Bishop can trace their lineage back to the original Apostles appointed by Jesus.
- Various churches, including the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, and some Lutheran Churches, claim Apostolic succession.
- The family tree traces the lineage of Bishops, Cardinals, and Popes, with specific colors denoting each position.
- The current Pope Francis can trace his Episcopal lineage back to Pope Clement XIII and Cardinal Cipion Riva.
- Over 90% of Catholic Bishops today descend from Cardinal Cipion Riva, labeling this lineage as the Riva lineage.
- The lineage of the last 24 Popes, starting from 1700, can be traced back to Cardinal Cipion Riva.
- Pope Pius IX, the first Pope with photographs, introduced the Immaculate Conception and papal infallibility dogmas.
- Pope Pius XI resolved the prisoner in the Vatican issue by agreeing to the creation of Vatican City.
- Pope John XXIII initiated the Vatican II Council, the largest gathering of Catholic Bishops, aimed at modernizing the church.
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"Papal Lineage: From Pope to Bishop"
- Pope John Paul II, known for his extensive travels, visited 129 countries during his papacy, making him one of the most widely seen figures in history. His death in 2005 was followed by Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013, becoming the first pope in 600 years to do so, leading to a period with two popes until Benedict's death in 2022.
- The lineage of the last 12 popes can be traced back to Cardinal Riva, with less than 10% of Catholic Bishops belonging to other lineages. An example is Archbishop of Paris, Lauron Alic, whose lineage consists of French Cardinals and Bishops, ultimately leading back to Pope Innocent XII, who belonged to the older Dy lineage before the switch to the Riva lineage in 1700.
- Anglican Bishops trace their lineage back to Archbishop of Canterbury, Matthew Parker, in 1559, who can be linked to Cardinal Henry Bort, a bishop in 1398. This lineage debate extends to whether Parker was consecrated properly, marking 1398 as the furthest point in Episcopal genealogy.
