Papal Primer: History's 10 Most Intriguing Popes Pope Benedict
XVI announced his resignation in February, citing his
deteriorating mental and physical health CREDIT: Jeffrey Bruno |
Shutterstock.com Pope Benedict XVI made headlines today (Feb.
11) when he announced he was stepping down — something no pope
has done since the Middle Ages. While that's big news, the
Catholic Church has seen much more dramatic upheavals. From a
cadaver on trial to a three-timing pope, here are 10 of the most
interesting church fathers in history. The first head of the
Catholic Church was St. Peter. Peter, whose original name was
Simon, was one of Jesus' 12 apostles, according to John Julius
Norwich in his book "Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy"
(Random House, 2012). He preached throughout Asia Minor before
coming to Rome, where he lived for 25 years, when Emperor Nero
Augustus Caesar crucified him. Legend has it that he sought to
be crucified upside down, deeming himself too low to share in
the same death as Jesus. Thou