PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes - podcast cover

PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes

A light hearted, only slightly blasphemous papal history podcast, ranking the Popes from Peter to Leo XIV
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Episodes

86. Sergius I

Pope Sergius had to contend with a lot of chaos! He had to overcome jumped up influencers to win the papacy, and fend off aggressive Imperial threats in order to keep it. In his episode, we discuss a double antipapcy, the Maronites, and all the issues with the Quinisext Council. With a special appearance from our podcast mascots. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon Wishlist: https://t...

Sep 14, 20201 hr 8 minEp. 111

85. Conon

After the death of Pope John V, a division between the Latin Romans and the new eastern Romans led to strong disagreements over who should be Pope. Enter Pope Conon. In his episode, we discuss famous Irish missionaries, Sicilian mistakes, and some Karenas. 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...

Aug 31, 202031 minEp. 110

84. John V

Pope Blackfish was "in every way, temperate", but let's not get him out of bed. In his episode, we discuss his role in the Third Council of Constantinople, continued imperial relations, presumptuous bishops, and we clearly don't know what Blackfish is about. 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...

Aug 17, 202020 minEp. 109

83. Benedict II

This second Benedict was yet another talented singer, and so was deeply loved by the Liber Pontificalis author. In his episode, we discuss the symbolic adoption of the Imperial sons, the latest appeals of Wilfrid of York, and... bountiful hands. Shame Norman Boutin. 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...

Aug 03, 202032 minEp. 108

82. Leo II

Leo made the greatest impression on the writer of the Liber Pontificalis, who has much to say about his beautiful singing voice. In his episode, we discuss the transfer of endangered relics, finalizing the Third Council of Constantinople, shoring up papal primacy in a contentious Ravenna, and Irish Bullies. Notes: Celtic Monks - https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meister_des_Book_of_Durrow_001.jpg#mw-jump-to-license Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal...

Jul 20, 202038 minEp. 107

Anniversary Special: Kidnap dat Pope! Pt. 3

Pontifacts is 2 years old! To celebrate, we invited a group of our favourite podcasters to participate in an actual-play pope themed D&D adventure. Join us as this rag tag band of Byzantine ‘pilgrims’ attempt to kidnap Pope Martin I, and bring him back to the Emperor. Shenanigans ensue Cast: DM: Fry Constantine Constantius: Jamie of Totalus Rankium Constans: Rob of Totalus Rankium Milo: Ari of Quest Friends! Adesius: Josh of Drunk Church History Eanswythe: Bry Hear our cast: Totalus Rankium:...

Jul 06, 202049 minEp. 106

Anniversary Special: Kidnap dat Pope! Pt. 2

Pontifacts is 2 years old! To celebrate, we invited a group of our favourite podcasters to participate in an actual-play pope themed D&D adventure. Join us as this rag tag band of Byzantine ‘pilgrims’ attempt to kidnap Pope Martin I, and bring him back to the Emperor. Shenanigans ensue. Cast: DM: Fry Constantine Constantius: Jamie of Totalus Rankium Constans: Rob of Totalus Rankium Milo: Ari of Quest Friends! Adesius: Josh of Drunk Church History Eanswythe: Bry Hear our cast: Totalus Rankium...

Jun 22, 202049 minEp. 105

Anniversary Special: Kidnap dat Pope! Pt 1

Pontifacts is 2 years old! To celebrate, we invited a group of our favourite podcasters to participate in an actual-play pope themed D&D adventure. Join us as this rag tag band of Byzantine ‘pilgrims’ attempt to kidnap Pope Martin I, and bring him back to the Emperor. Shenanigans ensue. Cast: DM: Fry Constantine Constantius: Jamie of Totalus Rankium Constans: Rob of Totalus Rankium Milo: Ari of Quest Friends! Adesius: Josh of Drunk Church History Eanswythe: Bry Exarch: David of the Siecle La...

Jun 08, 202055 minEp. 104

Council Episode: The Third Council of Constantinople

The sixth ecumenical council of the church centered on the Monothelitism and Monoenergism controversies. After many years of struggle, the new emperor set his sights on religious reconciliation, and the result is a nearly yearlong council to confirm a dyothelite Christology. In this episode we discuss the Letter of Agatho, the acclamations of the fathers and anathemas of the besmirchers, and the spectacle of Polychronus and the corpse. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifa...

May 18, 202028 minEp. 102

81. Agatho

Agatho entered the church quite late after a full career in business, and life as a monk - two entire lives before the papacy. In his episode, we discuss a return of St Wilfrid of York, the papal letter that formed the foundation of the Third Council of Constantinople, and is there bugs? Catch Marco at Storia D'Italia: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/ziyh4-a1352/Storia-d%27Italia-Podcast Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast...

May 04, 202043 minEp. 101

Announcement: Intelligent Speech 2020!

Pontifacts will be appearing at Intelligent Speech 2020's virtual conference, with a talk on the children of the popes! Bry will also be sitting on a panel on Medieval history! Intelligent Speech will be held on Saturday June 27th 10am-6pm EST Find out more here: https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/ Get your tickets here: https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/product/online-ticket/...

Apr 22, 20201 minEp. 100

80. Donus

When Donus was elected to the papacy, he was already an old man, despite what his portrait would have you believe. In his episode, we discuss astronomical omens, the restoration of the autocephalous Ravenna, secret Nestorians, and an official fake pope who never existed. Also, we dive back down into the rabbit hole of the Celtic tonsure practices! Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon W...

Apr 20, 202036 minEp. 99

79. Adeodatus II

Pope Adeodatus spent the majority of his life as a monk, and brought his enthusiasm for monastic discipline to the papacy - but not like that zealot, Gregory. In his episode, we discuss new construction in Rome, the independence of Marmoutier Abbey in Tours, hints on the upcoming Doges of Venice, and omens. PS - The Vatican virtual tour has been released, and we WILL be doing that together at some point soon. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/po...

Apr 13, 202027 minEp. 98

78. Vitalian

Pope Vitalian had a new approach to the current conflicts between the Roman Church and Constantinople, which worked out in his favor. In his episode, we discuss the perplexing 663 Imperial visit to Rome, the problem of autocephalous Ravenna, what happens when a newly consecrated foreign bishop dies in Rome, and naturally, the devil’s ass hair and glass genitals. Check out Lyceum at lyceum.fm Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko...

Apr 06, 202044 minEp. 97

77. Eugene I

Given that Pope Martin never abdicated upon his arrest, Pope Eugene started his tenure as an antipope. Sort of. But meek Eugene would surprise everyone - including us, when he showed up to HAUNT US. Don't try new heresies, folks. 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...

Mar 30, 202026 minEp. 96

Crossover: Drunk Church History on Dante

Real Dead Poets Society! Unrequited Love! Popes in Hell! Dante Alighieri (1265 - 1321) was a nobleman, politician, and poet in Medieval Florence, Italy. Inspired by his childhood love, Beatrice, he went on to write the greatest piece of Italian poetry in the Divine Comedy—all while serving a lifelong exile from his beloved city. (Fry and Bry join Josh from Drunk Church History to discuss Dante, because you know how much we love Dante!) Listen to Drunk Church History: https://podcasts.apple.com/u...

Mar 27, 20201 hr 12 minEp. 95

76. Martin I

Martin had served as a papal legate in Dalmatia, and an apocrisiary in Constantinople, and he had come away from both with fairly sour opinions of the East. He took particular issue with Imperial interference in the papacy, and would repeatedly carry out bold decisions as pope that challenged the Emperor’s assumed hold over the church. In his episode, we discuss the aggressive escalation of the Monothelite conflict, the Council of the Lateran 649, and some very bad times. Support Pontifacts: Pat...

Mar 23, 202052 minEp. 94

75. Theodore I

Pope Theodore was born in Jerusalem, and found himself hastily relocating to Rome. In his episode, we discuss the Muslim conquest of the Levant, the worsening monothelite schism with Constantinople through the recanting recanter Pyrrhus and the doubling down Paul, and the Type of Constans. Also dog vomit. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/pontifactswish...

Mar 16, 202041 minEp. 93

74. John IV

We rolled a pretty euphemistic nickname for this pope. In his episode, we discuss the latest developments in the monothelite controversy, gentle defenses for Pope Honorius, and Slavic invasions in newly-Christianizing Dalmatia. Potatoes. (Bry is still struggling with coughs and respiratory stuff, apologies for weird sounds.) Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon Wishlist: https://tinyur...

Mar 02, 202032 minEp. 92

73. Severinus

Monothelitism is on the rise, and Pope Honorius's gag order hasn't held the discussion at bay. So when Severinus is elected to the papacy, he will be faced with a choice: cooperate, or not be pope. In his episode, we discuss the Ecthesis, a Roman-Byzantine standoff, cloacas, and how little we know about Tinder. Check out https://everypope.wordpress.com/ for some cool pope pictures we mentioned on the show. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/ponti...

Feb 24, 202030 minSeason 1Ep. 91

72. Honorius I

Pope Honorius has one of the most unique legacies in the history of the papacy, making him the subject of debate all the way through to the first Vatican Council in 1870. In his episode, we discuss monumental restoration efforts in Rome, disruptions in Lombard rule, connections throughout the universal church, and a new heresy with posthumous consequences. Besmirch the besmirchers. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https...

Feb 17, 202047 minSeason 1Ep. 90

71. Boniface V

Boniface is our first Neopolitan pope, but he is certainly the vanilla. In his episode, we'll discuss the origin of church sanctuary and its first universal implementation, a rebellion in the exarchate that put Rome under direct threat, and the continued expansion of English evangelization. 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...

Feb 10, 202038 minSeason 1Ep. 89

70. Adeodatus I

Adeodatus, or Deusdedit, was the first priest elected to be the Pope since John II, and he held the first ordinations for new priests since the beginning of Pope Gregory's papacy. In his episode, we discuss the rebellion in the exarchate of Ravenna, preview the instability in the Lombard Kingdom, investigate the first papal bullae, and get up front and personal with leprosy. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-f...

Feb 03, 202030 minSeason 1Ep. 88

69. Boniface IV

Boniface was a protégé of Pope Gregory, and he maintained a very Gregorian tone during his papacy. Which makes sense, since he was doing all the work anyway. In his episode, we'll discuss the conversion of the Pantheon from a pagan temple to a Catholic basilica, the first visit of an English bishop to Rome, a return to a long, long, never-ending issue, and part-time popery. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi...

Jan 20, 202047 minSeason 1Ep. 87

68. Boniface III

Pope Boniface shone where his predecessor failed. He was a successful apocrisiary, an influential pope, and was able to achieve something that several previous popes could not. In his episode, we'll revisit the Ecumenical Patriarch controversy, re-reform papal election protocol, and call out 'Roman extraction'. (And thank you to Chris Cree for the Popeslap!) Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactsp...

Jan 13, 202038 minSeason 1Ep. 86

67. Sabinian

Pope Sabinian is the anti-Gregory, in every possible way. He had a bad time in Constantinople, and then a worse time in Rome. He replaced monks with clerics in ecclesiastical roles, and made a massive error in judgment that made him one of the most despised popes of the era. But at least he will have one of the strangest papal deaths of all time! Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon Wi...

Jan 06, 202029 minSeason 1Ep. 85

Bonus Episode: Dante's Sixth Sphere of Heaven

Is it any surprise that Pope Gregory the Great ended up with a place in Dante's Paradiso? And yet, he is never named! Join us as we introduce the spheres of paradise, and explore the sixth sphere, reserved for the just rulers. We'll parse out where the pope appears, and deal with a singing eagle eyeball. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/pontifactswishl...

Jan 03, 202024 minSeason 1Ep. 84

Crossover: Quest Friends! The Frozen Factory Pt. 2

Pope Abstemius was dealt a pretty bad hand, as far as Amber Popes go. Following Durranet's ill-fated crusades, Abstemius was stuck with an Order of Truth that no one really cared for and a rival that undermined his every action. In his two-part episode, we'll discuss Abstemius's return to classic traditions, his relationship with the foolhardy antipope Paloma, and the magic of something called "Christmas." (Bry and Fry play Numenera! We had an absolute blast with the wonderful cast of Quest Frie...

Dec 24, 201959 minEp. 83

Bonus Episode: The Writings of Pope Gregory the Great

In this episode, we discuss the 900 epistles of the Registrum Epistolarum, the Liber Pastoralis (Rules for the Pastor), the Commentaries on Job, the Dialogues, and Gregory’s controversial legacy on the conceptualization of a biblical figure. 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...

Dec 23, 201926 minSeason 1Ep. 82

66. Gregory I (The Great)

Pope Gregory I, the second pope to earn “the Great” epithet, and like our first Great Pope Leo, he had a prolific career before becoming pope, including holding the highest civic office in Rome and serving as an apocrisiarius in Constantinople. But neither of these were jobs he wanted because he much preferred a monastic life, removed from the world. Imagine his disappointment when he is acclaimed as the next pope! In his episode, we discuss Gregory’s efforts to defend the whole of Italy from Lo...

Dec 16, 20192 hr 19 minSeason 1Ep. 81
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