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World
Photos: Shortest-reigning popes
Updated
9:09 AM ET, Wed February 13, 2013
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With the resignation of Pope Benedict, take a look at history's shortest-reigning popes.
You can also view our list of the longest-reigning popes.
Pope Urban VII reigned for 13 calendar days in 1590, the shortest papal tenure in history.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Boniface VI reigned for 16 days in the year 896.
Pope Celestine IV reigned for 17 days and died before consecration in 1241.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Pope Theodore II reigned for 20 days in 897.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Pope Sisinnius reigned for 21 days in 708.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Pope Marcellus II reigned for 22 days in 1555.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Pope Damasus II reigned for 24 days in 1048.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Pope Pius III reigned for 27 days in 1503.
Emory University
Pope Leo XI also reigned for 27 days in 1605.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Pope Benedict V was the first to reign for 33 days in 964.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Pope John Paul I also reigned for 33 days before his death in 1978.
Keystone/Getty Images