How old was the oldest pope and other long-lived pontiffs

While records are debated, some accounts suggest Pope Agatho died at an age over 100, making him the candidate for how old was the oldest pope. His case highlights the historical challenges of verifying papal ages in the first millennium, contrasting with the more reliable records of recent centuries.

Quick Summary

The oldest pope with documented evidence is Leo XIII, who lived to 93, though early records suggest Pope Agatho was over 100. This article details Agatho's contested age, compares it with modern and other historical popes, and explains how life expectancy has changed papal tenures.

Key Points

• Pope St. Agatho is the oldest on record but his age is disputed: Church records claim he was elected at 101 and died at 103 or 104 in 681 AD, but modern historians question the accuracy of these 7th-century records.

• Pope Leo XIII holds the confirmed record for the oldest reigning pope: Born in 1810, he died at the age of 93 in 1903, after serving a 25-year pontificate.

• Pope Benedict XVI was the longest-living man to hold the title: He passed away at 95 in 2022, but he had resigned from the papacy in 2013 at age 85.

• Several other popes have lived into their 90s: Notable examples include Celestine III (d. 1198 at 91 or 92) and Gregory XII (d. 1417 at 90).

• Increasing longevity affects modern papacies: Advances in medicine have led to longer pontificates for modern popes like John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, leading to new considerations for the role.

• Historical record-keeping was less precise for early popes: The lack of reliable documentation for figures like Pope Agatho makes confirming their exact age challenging, unlike in more recent history.

• Papal health and age are increasingly relevant topics: The historic resignation of Benedict XVI brought the issue of an aging papacy to the forefront of discussion within the Catholic Church.

The Case of Pope Agatho: A Centenarian Pontiff?

For centuries, the title of the oldest pope belonged to St. Agatho, who reigned from 678 to 681 AD. According to traditional church records, Agatho was elected at the remarkable age of 101 and died at 103 or 104. His brief but significant pontificate included presiding over the Third Council of Constantinople, which resolved a major theological dispute known as Monothelitism. However, modern historians and researchers have cast considerable doubt on these ancient figures, suggesting that records of Agatho's life may have been conflated with those of a contemporary monk named Agathon. Given the unreliability of record-keeping in the 7th century, determining his precise age is nearly impossible.

The Oldest Confirmed Popes: The Post-Medieval Era

While Agatho's age remains uncertain, the record for the oldest verifiably reigning pope belongs to Leo XIII. He was born in 1810 and elected pope in 1878 at the age of 67. His papacy, one of the longest in history at 25 years, ended with his death in 1903 at the age of 93. Leo XIII's long pontificate was marked by significant encyclicals, such as Rerum novarum, which addressed social issues arising from the industrial revolution. His longevity is particularly notable in comparison to the shorter lifespans of earlier historical periods.

Several other popes have also served well into their eighties and nineties, showcasing the increasing longevity seen in later centuries. Benedict XVI, for example, is the longest-living man to have held the title of pope, having died in 2022 at the age of 95, nearly a decade after his historic resignation. However, he was no longer the reigning pontiff at the time of his death.

Comparison of Notable Long-Lived Popes

Papal Name	Papacy Began	Papacy Ended	Age at Death	Notes
Pope St. Agatho	678 AD	681 AD	103–104 (disputed)	Age highly uncertain due to historical record ambiguity.
Pope Benedict XVI	2005	2013	95	Died as Pope Emeritus, not reigning pontiff.
Pope Leo XIII	1878	1903	93	Oldest reigning pope with reliably documented age.
Pope Celestine III	1191	1198	91 or 92	Age not definitively proven due to historical records.
Pope Gregory XII	1406	1415	90	One of the popes involved in the Western Schism.
Pope John XXII	1316	1334	90	Long-reigning pontiff based in Avignon.
Pope Lucius III	1181	1185	88	Reigned during the tumultuous medieval period.
Pope Francis	2013	Incumbent	88 (as of 2025)	Among the oldest popes still in office in recent history.

Changing Trends in Papal Tenure

The average life expectancy of popes has seen a marked increase throughout history. In the first millennium, serving into one's 80s or 90s was exceptionally rare, though the case of Agatho stands out. However, in the last two centuries, advances in medicine and nutrition have made it possible for pontiffs to serve for longer periods. Both Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis have served well into their later years, a modern phenomenon that has brought new considerations to the office.

As the average age of popes at election has remained relatively consistent, the increase in overall life expectancy means that pontificates are extending. This reality was starkly highlighted by the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in 2013, the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years, citing his declining health and inability to adequately exercise his office. His decision demonstrated a potential new precedent for popes, though it remains a rare exception to the tradition of serving until death. The growing age of popes has led to discussions about how the Church can best be led in an era where leaders may serve for several decades into their old age.

Conclusion

The question of how old was the oldest pope depends largely on whether one accepts the historical accounts of the 7th-century pontiff, St. Agatho. While tradition places him at over 100, the lack of definitive records makes this claim uncertain. With reliable documentation, Pope Leo XIII holds the record as the oldest reigning pontiff, dying at 93 in 1903. Other figures, like Benedict XVI, who died at 95, showcase increasing longevity but did not die while in office. This progression reflects wider societal trends in life expectancy and raises ongoing questions about the nature of papal leadership in the modern era. The oldest popes throughout history illustrate the changing dynamics of the papacy and the human condition.

This article was based on historical and clerical information, including details regarding popes like St. Agatho from OrthodoxWiki.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official record for the oldest pope?

The official record for the oldest verifiable reigning pope is Leo XIII, who died in 1903 at the age of 93. Some historical accounts state that Pope Agatho was older, but his age is disputed by modern historians due to imprecise record-keeping in the 7th century.

Was Pope Benedict XVI the oldest pope?

No, Pope Benedict XVI was not the oldest reigning pope. He died at the age of 95 in 2022 but had resigned from office in 2013 at age 85. He is, however, the longest-lived man known to have held the title of pope.

How old was Pope Leo XIII when he died?

Pope Leo XIII died at the age of 93. He was elected pope in 1878 at age 67 and served for 25 years until his death in 1903, making him the oldest reliably recorded reigning pontiff.

Why is Pope Agatho's age disputed?

Pope Agatho's age is disputed because he lived in the 7th century, a period with less precise historical record-keeping than modern times. Some historians believe that records of his life were confused with those of a monk with a similar name, leading to questions about the accuracy of his reported centenarian age.

Have any popes served into their 90s?

Yes, aside from the disputed Pope Agatho, several popes have served into their 90s. This includes Pope Leo XIII (93) and, with less certain records, Pope Celestine III (91 or 92) and Pope John XXII (90).

What is the average age of popes at election?

Over time, the average age of popes at election has increased. Since 1900, the average age of a pope at the time of his election has been 67. This can vary, however, with some elected at much younger ages and others, like Benedict XVI, being elected in their late 70s.

Did Pope Benedict XVI retire because of his age?

Yes, Pope Benedict XVI explicitly cited his 'advanced age' and declining health as the reasons for his resignation in 2013, at the age of 85.

How does modern medicine affect the age of popes?

With modern medicine, popes have longer lifespans, which can lead to longer pontificates. This increased longevity has made the issue of an aging pontiff more prevalent in modern times, leading to considerations of how the Church is led in the later years of a pope's life.