PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes

Pope Cornelius assumed the papacy in the midst of an extremely violent persecution, after the longest period of no-pope-ness that we've seen yet. Will he lead the church in a new unifying direction, or will he scramble with a fractured and decimated church? In this episode, we discuss his life, his fanboys, and common sense versus orthodoxy. Show Notes: The Letters of Cornelius:  http://www.seanmu...

Pope Fabian definitely has one of the most unique stories of the early Popes. As the first pope appointed by acclamation, he shook things up, and maybe made a few birb-friends along the way.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/pontifactswishlist

Pope Anterus is one of the most unfortunate of the early popes, due to one of the shortest papacies in history. But in this episode, we seek to uncover if he did anything to make this short papacy substantial.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/pontifa...

Pope Pontian will set a precedent for the church that will resound through to very modern history, and forever change the way the office of Pope is perceived by the world. In this episode, we will discuss his life, his response to the antipope schism, and boopable noses.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi....

Surprise! Since Pope Urban I is the first pope to leave a lasting mark on famous world literature, we're celebrating with a bonus episode, reading 'The Second Nun's Tale', from Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. The Second Nun's Tale can be found online here:  http://pinkmonkey.com/dl/library1/book0573.pdf   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal....

Pope Urban sat on the papal throne, and all he got was the t-shirt... or some accounts would have you believe! But is this an accurate picture of a pope who has achieved literary immortality? In this episode, we will discuss his ordinations, his connection with Saint Cecilia, incorruptible saints, and whether or not he has been fairly judged by time.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.pa...

The Catholic Encyclopedia says: "If we knew more of Callixtus from Catholic sources, he would probably appear as one of the greatest of the popes." Instead, the sources we have are from his greatest critics. But is that a bad thing? His enemies have so much to say! In this episode, we discuss Callixtus's adventurous life, his scandalous policies, his cemetery, and determine whether he was a Saint,...

Pope Zephyrinus was 'a simple man, without education', or so we are told. In this episode, we will discuss Zephyrinus's life, his policies, and determine whether or not to take salty sources at face value.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/pontifactsw...

Pope Victor will instigate a lot of firsts for the church, and definitely leaves his mark on history. But is this to his benefit? In this episode, we will discuss Easter, AGAIN, the Pokemon evolution of Jesus, and whether or not Victor sacrificed babies.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod...

Eleutherius has been claimed as a symbol of national identity, but not at all in the way you would think! In this episode we will discuss what part he plays in a weird stepbrother syndrome, his thoughts about food, and whether or not he had something to do with a mythical English king.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi:...

Pope Soter was not a SOTE, and we can say that with relative certainty because we can actually talk about his personality! In this episode, we discuss his life, penance, marriage, papal alms, and ask ourselves if being the goodest boi is bull-worthy. Stay tuned at the end for an important segment of Popewatch.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me...

Surprise! We have a bonus episode to share Bry's Papal Audience experience, and for our exciting announcement - WE ARE NOW ON PATREON! If you'd like to support the show and ensure tons of popey goodness for a long time to come, while being spoiled with bonus material, check us out at https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod   Official summary from Bry's Papal Audience: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/p...

Anicetus led a life that was "so blameless, that he was a model to every one of Christian perfection" - at least according to his biggest fan from the 1800s. In this episode, we discuss his positions on new heresy, his famous friends, and try to figure out just why Father Francis loves him so much.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactsp...

This episode is about Pope Pius I! Or at least, it tries to be, while also touching on all the major figures of second century Christianity that outshone him, including his own brother. We'll discuss Pius's life and contributions, and decide whether or he is an overshadowed gem, or a needle in a haystack. Shepherd of Hermas translation: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd-lightfoot...

Pope Hyginus, or Inigo (insert Princess Bride reference here), is said to have held the papacy in a time of relative peace. But is that true? How recent, or short was this peace? In this episode, we will discuss Hyginus's life, heretics, and church hierarchy, which he may or may not have had anything to do with. Also, Deacon Dad.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactsp...

Telesphorus started his life in a very different way than the rest of our earlier popes, but this may have made him the perfect candidate for the time. In this episode, we'll discuss where he might have come from, and why he is the Hallmark Card Pope of the Holidays.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/...

Sixtus I, or Xystus has a short episode of shortness, but he still managed to make a few contributions that make for interesting discussion! This week, we'll discuss apostolic letters, no-touchy, and nicknames for bald people. Make sure to note the announcement of the Summer scheduling change!   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcas...

Pope Alexander I was the first pope to have connections in the imperial court - and this would have significant impact on the Roman Christian world, especially for Alexander himself. This week we will discuss his early life, the conversions of his papacy, and the debate over where he ended up in the end.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/ponti...

Evaristus 'dat pope guy' suffers from a lack of information and sources, but there is still fun to be had! In this episode, we discuss his intense commitment to church ordinations, his distinctive facial expressions, and whether or not it is better to be nommed, or beheaded.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko...

Pope Clement I arguably has one of the most interesting lives of the early popes, and not just because of the fan fiction written about him! In this episode, we tackle his fantastical life story, his dramatic legacy, and how he is still relevant in 2018.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod...

Pope Anacletus... or Pope Cletus... or both? Our third pope has contributed quite a lot to the confusion of the early papal orders. In this episode, we'll examine his lasting contributions of the papacy, and decide once and for all if he is one or two people. Side Note: Fry's audio is a bit warbly in this episode; chalk it up to growing pains of the new podcast!   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   ht...

Our second and lesser known Pope, Linus, had a big act to follow. But he was a talented preacher that drew many converts to the church, and irritated whole cities. In this episode we look at his life, his lips, and ask the question: Is he worthy of a papal bull?   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/ponti...

Our first Pope, St. Peter, is the rock on which the Catholic Church was built – but was this a wise decision? In this episode, we discuss Peter’s life and death, his habit of being a two-faced douche who wrecks parties, and whether or not we think he can defend his circular friends at the end!   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcas...

What is a Pope? What does a Pope do? What is an average day for a Pope? These questions answered, and more, in the second half of our series introduction!   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/pontifactswishlist

Welcome to Pontifacts; ranking all the Popes from Peter to Francis! In this light-hearted, only slightly blasphemous podcast, Bry and Fry go through the lives of the Pontiffs, and rate them based on our very valid and not subjective at all categories, to determine which Pope was the popiest Pope that ever Poped. In this episode, we introduce our concept, our ranking rounds, and discuss how to beco...