The Vatican may be the epicenter of the Roman Catholic Church, but its roots trace far deeper into the Greek-speaking world than many realize. Historically, at least three Popes of Greek origin are confirmed, with as many as 16 possibly linked to Greece, either by birth, descent, or cultural background.
After Pope Francis’s funeral—which notably featured Greek speakers—the world once again turned its eyes to the papal throne. In Greece, this renewed attention also revived a lesser-known fact: the historic Greek presence in the leadership of the Catholic Church.
The Confirmed Greek Popes
🔹 Saint Anacletus (76–88 AD)
Often listed as the third Pope after Saint Peter, Saint Anacletus is believed to have come from Athens or Corinth. Some traditions even describe him as the son of an Athenian philosopher. Although some debate whether he was the same person as “Cletus,” his Greek heritage is widely acknowledged.
🔹 Pope Eleutherius (174–189 AD)
Born in ancient Epirus—part of modern-day northwestern Greece or southern Albania—Eleutherius helped solidify early Church orthodoxy. He is remembered for supporting inclusivity within early Christianity, especially among Gentiles.
🔹 Pope Zozimus (417–418 AD)
Though born in Calabria, Italy, Zozimus was likely of Greek descent, possibly from Cappadocia. His brief papacy was marked by his strong stance against Pelagianism, a controversial theological doctrine.
The “Maybe Greeks”
Beyond the three confirmed cases, several other Popes are considered likely to have Greek ancestry:
- Theodore I (642–649): Son of a Greek bishop from Jerusalem; educated in a Greek-speaking environment.
- John VI (701–705): Possibly of Greek origin from Syria, where Hellenic culture remained influential.
- John VII (705–707): Born in Rome to Greek parents from the Byzantine East, a patron of Greek theology and Church art.
John VII’s Greek identity is further supported by his inscription to his parents found in the Church of Saint Anastasia and his focus on iconographic frescoes, which are typical of Greek influence.
Greece and the Early Church
In the first centuries of Christianity, the Church in Rome was deeply connected with the Greek-speaking Eastern Mediterranean. Greek was the lingua franca of early Christian theology, used in many of the Church Fathers’ writings and ecumenical decisions. Therefore, Greek-born or Greek-educated Popes were not outliers but natural products of the era’s religious and intellectual ecosystem.
While today, the papacy is predominantly associated with Italy and the Latin world, its early development was significantly shaped by the Hellenic language, philosophy, and faith. The legacy of these Greek Popes reminds us how interconnected the Christian world once was and how Greece’s spiritual legacy extended even to the Vatican’s highest office.
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