15

Number of popes named Benedict. Joseph Ratzinger (pictured) chose his pontifical name in honor of Pope Benedict XV, who reigned during the First World War. In the long colorful history of the papacy, Benedict XVI is considered only the 15th official pope to anoint himself Benedict. There are such things as ‘antipopes’, or popes who claim to be popes but lacked recognition from the Roman Catholic Church. Benedict X was an antipope whose election was tainted by vote buying. Three other antipopes followed, Benedict XIII and two who claimed to be Benedict XIV.