The timeline of popes to head the Catholic Church dates all the way back to 32 A.D., when St. Peter first held the position. Since then, there have been 265 more popes, with the 266th on his way.

St. Peter held the head of the church for the longest amount of time -- 35 years (32-67). Second in line for the longest running pope is Pope Pius IX, who led the church from 1846-1878, a total of 32 years.

Pope Pius IX was born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti in Sinigaglia, Italy on May 13, 1792. The son of local nobles, Gerolamo Ferretti and Caterina Solazzi, Pope Pius studied at the Piarist College in Volterra from 1802-09 and then went to Rome to study philosophy and theology, only to leave in 1810 due to political disturbances. He returned four years later and asked to be admitted to the pope's Noble Guard, against his father's wishes. Pope Pius was susceptible to epileptic fits, therefore was refused admission.

He was eventually ordained priest on April 10, 1819 and then made canon of Santa Maria in Via Lata and director of the large hospital of San Michele by Pope Leo XII in 1825. Leo XII also created Pius IX as Archbishop of Spoleto on May 21, 1827. Four years later, 4,000 Italian revolutionists fled the Austrian army and threatened to throw themselves upon Spoleto. The archbishop talked them into disbanding and persuaded the Austrian commander to pardon them for their treason.

Pope Gregory XVI transferred Pius IX to a more important diocese in 1832. He was assigned to the Diocese of Imola and was created cardinal priest in 1840. Just six years later, on June 14, 1846, two weeks after Pope Gregory XVI's death, fifty cardinals convened for the conclave. At the fourth round of voting on June 16, liberal candidate Cardinal Mastai-Ferretti, received three votes more than the required majority, making him the 256th pope to lead the Catholic Church. His election was celebrated and welcomed. Catholics liked Pope Pius IX for his kindheartedness, wit and his charity towards the poor. He was installed on June 21, 1846. He died on February 7, 1878 and was buried in the church of San Lorenzo fuori le mura. Blessed Pope Pius IX was beatified by Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's Square on September 3, 2000.

Following Pope Pius IX was Gioacchino Pecci, also known as Pope Leo XIII. Born in 1810 in Carpineto Italy, he was ordained priest in 1837 and was the Archbishop of Perugia from 1846-1877. Archbishop Pecci was promoted to Cardinal in 1853 and then was elected pope on February 20, 1878.

Pope Leo was a modern man for his times. He worked by preaching and writing to "update" the attitudes of Catholics, without losing its core. He started the Institute of Thomistic Philosophy at the University of Louvain and opened the secret Vatican archives to scholars. Pope Leo told Catholic historians that the whole truth must be found in their work, encouraged Bible study, set up the permanent Biblical Commission and sponsored the Catholic University in Washington D.C. As the 257th pope, Pope Leo XIII led the Catholic Church for a total of 25 years. He died of natural causes on July 20, 1903.

The 261st pope was elected on March 2, 1939. His name was Pope Pius XII and he was born on March 2, 1876 as Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli. After studying for the priesthood in Rome, Pacelli was ordained priest in April 1899. He assisted Cardinal Gasparri in his efforts to systemize canon law from 1904 until 1916 and then was appointed Apostolic Nuncio in Bavaria by Pope Benedict XV in 1917. Just three years later, Pacelli was also named Apostolic Nuncio to the German Republic.

He was appointed cardinal by Pope Pius XI on December 16, 1929 and then Secretary of State for Vatican City on February 7, 1930. On March 2, 1939, on his 63rd birthday, Cardinal Pacelli became the first Secretary of State to be elected pope since Clement IX in 1667. Before and during World War II, Pope Pius XII worked for world peace and condemned the execution of innocent people just because of their race. He began a program to aid in the relief to war victims of both sides, especially to the Jews. On September 10, 1943, when Hitler occupied Rome, Pope Pius XII opened Vatican City to Jewish refugees, helping more than 1.5 million refugees of all races and religions. He also granted many of them Vatican citizenship. Pope Pius XII's tenure as pope ended upon his death on October 9, 1958.

Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini was born on September 26, 1897 in Concesio (Lombardy) to a wealthy family. A frail but intelligent child, Montini received his early education near his home in Brescia. Due to his poor health, he was allowed to live at home after entering the Seminary in 1916. He was ordained in 1920 and then sent to Rome to attend the Gregorian University and the University of Rome.

In 1953, Montini was appointed Archbishop of Milan, without the title of cardinal, by Pope Pius XII. During his work as a self-proclaimed "Archbishop of the workers," Montini revitalized the entire diocese, preached the Gospel, worked to win back the working class, encouraged Catholic education at every grade level and supported the Catholic press. His name became well known around the world, garnering international attention. During the 1958 conclave following Pope Pius XII's death, Montini's name was mentioned over and over again, encouraging Pope John XXIII to finally appoint him a cardinal and eventually to the Central Preparatory Commission for Vatican II and the Technical-Organizational Commission.

Montini was elected to succeed Pope John XXIII on June 21, 1963. Pope Paul VI was the 263rd pope to head the Catholic Church. Through his leadership, he became one of the most traveled popes in history and the first to visit five continents. He was described as brilliant, gentle, deeply spiritual and a man of "infinite courtesy" by those who were close to him.

Pope Paul VI died on August 6, 1978, with no catafalque or monument over his grave at his request.