19.9 Years Since We Have Had A Pope Die -- 13th Longest Gap.

Click to ENLARGE. From one of my Spreadsheets.

We have only had 2 popes die in the last 46 years.

The last pope to die was John Paul II on April 2, 2005. Yep, nearly 20 years ago.

Prior to that was John Paul I who died on September 28, 1978, after ONLY 33-days as pope. That was fleeting.

Benedict XVI, who died in December 2022, did NOT die as pope. He resigned in February 2013.

So, it has been quite a long gap. I had to go check. I have a spreadsheet with all this data (above).

13th longest gap.

Why 13th rather than 14th. St. Peter's 25-years as pope is 'per legend'. We cannot be categorical.

So, there are many out there who can't remember what a FULL papal funeral looks like. Benedict XVI did not get the full works because he was no longer pope.

The current pope, Francis, supposedly has stated we wants a simpler funeral. Well let's wait & see. The Vatican loves papal funerals because the faithful flock in -- wallets open.

😇