How Old The Pope
Ever wondered how old the Pope is? I mean, have you ever seen a wrinkle on his forehead? No? Well, that's because Popes are like fine wine, they just keep getting better with...
Ever wondered how old the Pope is? I mean, have you ever seen a wrinkle on his forehead? No? Well, that's because Popes are like fine wine, they just keep getting better with age. Sort of.
So, how old is the current Pope?
Francis, our guy in the white cassock, was born on December 17, 1936. That makes him 85 as of 2022. But here's the kicker, he's not even the oldest Pope we've had!
Meet Leo XIII, the oldest Pope ever
Born in 1810, Leo XIII served as Pope from 1878 until his death in 1903 at the ripe old age of 93. That's like, what, 12 lifetimes in dog years? Talk about a long reign!
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But why do Popes live so long?
Well, it's not like they're sipping on the elixir of youth or anything. But consider this: Popes are chosen for their wisdom, experience, and leadership. They've usually spent decades in the Church, climbing the ranks. So, by the time they're elected, they're already old pros.
Plus, the Pope's job isn't exactly a high-stress, fast-paced gig. Sure, there's the whole 'leading the world's 1.3 billion Catholics' thing, but it's not like they're running marathons or pulling all-nighters. They've got a whole team of cardinals to help out.
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And what about the youngest Pope?
At the other end of the spectrum, we've got Benedict IX, who was elected Pope at the tender age of 20. Talk about a quarter-life crisis! But don't worry, he didn't set any records for longevity. He resigned (yes, Popes can do that) after just five years.
So, what's the average age of a Pope?
If you're thinking 'somewhere in the middle', you're right. The average age of a Pope at election is around 67. But remember, that's just an average. Popes have been elected as young as 20 and as old as 85.
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And what about the future?
Who knows? Maybe one day we'll have a Pope born in the 21st century. Or maybe we'll see a Pope who's, gasp, a millennial! But until then, let's just enjoy the fact that the Pope is a living, breathing piece of history.
After all, there's something pretty amazing about a job that's been around for over 2,000 years. And who knows? Maybe one day, you'll be saying 'I knew the Pope when...' and you'll be talking about a friend from college. Stranger things have happened, right?
