Those interested in statistics about the Popes and the papacy can have a fascinating one-stop resource in a website
www.popes-and-papacy.com/index.htm
run by a New Hampshire-based IT expert who wrote five books on information technology before venturing into the subject of the papacy with two books since 2006. He does not give his personal background on his sites, other than that he is now in his 50s, but I surmise from his name (and his picture) that he is either Indian or Sri Lankan by ancestry and that he must be Roman Catholic to take the interest he does. Since he is an IT expert, I will trust his calculations (and basic data) for the following entry:
Benedict XVI becomes
the 7th oldest serving Pope
by Anura Guruge
Today, July 19, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI (Pope #266) leapfrogs over Gregory XIII (#227) to become the 7th oldest pope — albeit as of 1400 (dates prior to that being too unreliable for meaningful comparisons).
When he turned 83 on April 16, 2010, just 3 days ahead of his 5th anniversary as Pope, he became the 10th oldest Pope (counting from 1400).
But, the three Popes that had died in their 83rd year did so fairly soon after that birthday, with Gregory XIII living for another 3 months and 3 days (total of 30,409 days).
As of July 19, 2010, the current pope, Benedict XVI is 30,410 days old.
Here is the latest chart, as of July 19, 2010:
As mentioned in an earlier post, the Pope is now in a berth that he is no doubt very comfortable and familiar with — right next to his long-term mentor and predecessor, John Paul II (#265).
Benedict will not overtake John Paul II until 2010, February 29, 2012 to be precise — a leap-year day no less. [Note that John Paul II lived exactly 31,000 days. Is that a coincidence?]
Given his current hearty constitution (despite the stresses he faces) and modern health care, it would appear that he would go even further, challenging the two Popes who died in their 85th year. He would surpass Innocent XII (#243) at the end of October 2012. By the start of 2013 he could be in the 4th oldest spot. He could probably even aspire for the higher slots!
As this juncture, I was (as is my wont) curious whether there had been instances where successive popes ended up close to each other in terms of their final age.
There have been three instances, as of 1400:
1/ Pius VI (#251) and Pius VII (#252) — both when 81.
2/ Gregory XII (#206) and Innocent VII (#205) — both when 69.
3/ Leo XI (#233) and Paul V (#234) — the former at 69 and Paul at 68.
As discussed earlier, it is possible that the current, ever so familiar ‘adjacency’ between Benedict and John Paul will cease to be, down the road … with Benedict enjoying prolonged longevity.
I will, if I am still around, keep on updating these numbers and charts so that YOU can stay on top of this.
Vatican Radio's Italian service has a report today citing Guruge's age and longevity calculations.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 22/07/2010 00:09]