THE NINE OLDEST POPES.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 122, 27 August 1875, Page 14

THE NINE OLDEST POPES.

Pius IX., though the first in th c list of the Sovereign Pontiffs, if we consider the duration of his Pontificate, ranks ninth only in point of seniority, and is greatly to be feared that he will not be able to crown his other glorious titles with that of the "Veteran" of the Popes. He must live two years longer before he reaches the a°-e of 85 at which Innocent XII. died, A.D. 1700. Then it will take him another year to exceed in years Clement X., who died in 1676, a»ed 86 years. Clement XII. died in 1740, aged SS years. Firm and unyielding m death, as he was throughout life, John XXI., who died in 1334 will not surrender his honorable position as fifth on tne list to any but a nonagenarian. If Pius IX. lives to celebrate his 93rd birthday, Celestine 111., who died m 1198, and Gregory XII, who died in 1471, will then both give place as regards years to our present Holy Father. But to effect this his earthly pilgrimage must be prolonged for ten additional weary years. • is • T^sfcoadonthelistis Gregory IX., who was elected Pope in his 85th. year, and who, as vigorous at 90 as Innocent 111., his uncle, at 50, went on preaching crusades, fighting monarchs, converting Turks, instructing Christians, till, at last, death managed to lay hun low, though not without a struggle. He died AD. !! # T ge ?; 8> In 1 ? rde . t0 excel in years this glorious, hoary Pontiff, Pius IX. must live fifteen years longer *™ iSW^ anally considered the oldest of the Popes, having died A.D. 682, aged 107. But this would be difficult to prove. IT* $°S d /? c mchned to give the palm to Pius IX. if ho outlives tne JNmth Gregory.