The Pillar

Home
About
News
Pillar Posts
Analysis
Interviews
Explainers
On Leo's Desk
Data
Pillar Columns
Starting Seven
The Pillar Podcast
Sunday School
Look Closer
The Pillar TL;DR
Benedict XVI
—
Data

Aging in the See of Peter

A look at trends in papal aging, by the numbers

The Pillar
Jan 02, 2023
∙ Paid
Aging in the See of Peter
Pope Francis and Pope emeritus Benedict XVI. Credit: Vatican Media.

When pope emeritus Benedict XVI died at the age of 95, he was the second oldest man to have served in the chair of St. Peter, according to the record books.

But while Benedict was aged by papal standards, he’s not alone among modern popes: John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis are all a…

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 The Pillar · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture