Episodes 249
Avg. Duration 44m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.6 (277)
Since May 2018
Latest Episode Jun 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Serial
Consistency
63%
Hosting
feed.podbean.com

About This Podcast

A light hearted, only slightly blasphemous papal history podcast, ranking the Popes from Peter to Leo XIV

Explore Statistics

Recent Episodes

166. Innocent II

Jun 08, 2026 1h 13m

Well, we can all admit it: Innocent II was not elected canonically. And yet, he still ends up coming out as the canonical pope! In his episode, we discuss how this happened, his massively…

165. Honorius II

May 25, 2026 1h 40m

Pope Honorius II certainly had an unconventional and illegitimate start to his papacy, but no one was willing to let him resign! In his episode, we discuss the full circle Papal-Imperial moment, some…

Announcement: Pontifacts Tour of Italy!

May 23, 2026 10m

PONTIFACTS is 8 years old! We cannot believe it. And if that's not unbelievable enough, we have been given the most AMAZING opportunity to plan a Pontifacts centred tour of Italy! And we would love…

Crossover: The Renaissance Papacy with Tudoriferous!

May 16, 2026 1h 21m

Bry and Fry were invited by David and Lucy of Tudoriferous to discuss several popes of the Renaissance Papacy, and had such a delightful time! And since this will serve as a preview for an upcoming…

Popewatch: A Year in Leo

May 08, 2026 1h 3m

Today marks one year since the election of Pope Leo XIV!  In this special episode of Popewatch, we review what we have learned about the new pontiff, explore his polices, and touch on his impact on…

Pope Elect Celestine II

Apr 13, 2026 23m

The church is in need of a new pope, and following the major shifts in Pope Callixtus II's papacy, the cardinals are deeply divided on who that next pope should be. Enter Pope Celestine II! Then…

164. Callixtus II

Mar 23, 2026 1h 17m

Callixtus might have been the ballsiest man to take the papacy since Gregory VII. In his episode, we discuss his impressive family, his audacious forgeries, and the END of the INVESTITURE…

163. Gelasius II

Mar 09, 2026 37m

Introducing Pope Gelasius, a monk who fixed the papal bull miniscule! In his episode, we discuss an early attack, evading an attack, and a follow up attack.    Support Pontifacts: Patreon:…

162. Paschal II

Feb 23, 2026 1h 13m

Its time to follow another one of the papal greats, and we know how this usually goes, don't we?  Introducing Pope Paschal II! In his episode, we discuss shifting antipapacies, the Crusade of the…

161. Urban II

Feb 09, 2026 1h 27m

We have reached yet another juggernaut in the High Middle Ages: Urban II!  In his episode, we discuss bigamous marriages, incestuous orgies, the First Crusade, and "Deus Vult".    Pontifacts is…

Crossover: The Carolingian Papacy with Storia D'Italia!

Jan 30, 2026 1h 3m

Surprise bonus episode, looking back! As Storia d'Italia approaches the Carolingian Papacy, Marco invited Bry for a retrospective on the shifting landscape of the popes, power, and paradigm in that…

160. Victor III

Jan 26, 2026 1h 3m

Pope Victor III is undeniably a significant historical figure, but has the unusual honour of being more famous for his pre-papal life! In his episode, we discuss the Golden Age of Montecassino,…

159. Gregory VII

Dec 08, 2025 2h 44m

They finally got him! Despite being the hide and seek champion, Hildebrand has finally been cornered into being pope. And what a papacy he will have! In his episode (now officially our longest…

158. Alexander II

Nov 24, 2025 1h 31m

Pope Alexander II might not have been the holiest member of his family, but he still certainly left an impact.  In his episode, we discuss the Patarines, the fallout of In Nomine Domini, and the…

157. Nicholas II

Nov 03, 2025 1h 8m

Pope Nicholas II became the first pope in history to actually regulate papal elections! In his episode, we discuss a major change in relations with the Normans, the beginnings of the Pataria, and the…

156. Stephen IX

Oct 20, 2025 56m

Pope Stephen IX is the last Pope Stephen in history thusfar!   In his episode, we discuss his very odd choices, both around family and power.    Support Pontifacts: Patreon:…

155. Victor II

Oct 06, 2025 44m

Following behind the juggernaut of Pope Leo IX, Victor II decides to follow his model in many ways. In his episode, we discuss incredible regencies, important councils, and Florence, for the first…

Bonus: The Miracles of Leo IX

Sep 22, 2025 52m

The life of Pope Leo IX was so full of miracles that we had to dedicate a full episode to cover them all! In this episode, we discuss miraculous animals, markings, visions and smitings, and walk away…

154. Leo IX

Sep 08, 2025 2h 15m

Coming in at a rival for our longest episode to date, we introduce Pope Leo IX, the Battley Pilgrim Pope! In his episode, we discuss the beginning of the High Medieval Papacy, a massive recovery and…

153. Damasus II

Aug 25, 2025 27m

We're finally permanently out of the shadow of Benedict IX, and its time for Pope Damasus II! Will he live up to his namesake? In his episode, we discuss the actual favoured papal candidates, the…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes have?

PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes has published 249 episodes since May 2018, covering topics in Comedy, History.

Is PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes still active?

PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 44m.

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