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Artwork for PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes

PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes

Pontifacts
Papal History
Monasteries
Italy
Pope John XII
Medieval History
Pavia
Otto I
Agapetus II
Cluniac Reform
St. Benedict
Monastic Reform
Holy Roman Empire
Gubbio
Morozia
Stephen VII
Carolingian Empire
Monastic Rules
Relics
Pope John XI
Dungeons and Dragons

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes232Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyHistory

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Artwork for PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes

Latest Episodes

The life of Pope Leo IX was so full of miracles that we had to dedicate a full episode to cover them all! In this episode, we discuss miraculous animals, markings, visions and smitings, and walk away with the most important prayer: "Please don't scru... more

Coming in at a rival for our longest episode to date, we introduce Pope Leo IX, the Battley Pilgrim Pope! In his episode, we discuss the beginning of the High Medieval Papacy, a massive recovery and reformation for the church, the Great Schism of 105... more

We're finally permanently out of the shadow of Benedict IX, and its time for Pope Damasus II! Will he live up to his namesake?

In his episode, we discuss the actual favoured papal candidates, the flightiest Margrave of Tuscany....and fake facts abou... more

In our final retrospective on the "Demon from Hell" Pope, Bry and Fry are delighted to be joined by John from Saga Thing! In this episode, we discuss the Christianization of Iceland, how figures of the Sagas might view the popes, and just how nuts th... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

John Sexton
Professor of literature and co-host of Saga Thing
Bridgewater State University
Episode: Crossover: Judging Benedict with Saga Thing!
Dr. Barry Torch
Papal historian and supporter
Episode: Bonus: Papal Doomsday Theories Pt.2
Gregg Gassman
Editor of PONTIFACTS and host of both Popular History and Cardinal Numbers
Episode: Sede Vacante: The Cardinals Pt. 1 (The Papabili) with Popeular History
Greg Gassman
Editor and host of Popular History
Popular History
Episode: Sede Vacante: How a Conclave Works with Popeular History
Dr. Rutger Kramer
Expert in medieval history, focusing on monastic life
Utrecht University
Episode: Bonus: Monasteries with Dr. Rutger Kramer

Hosts

Fry
Co-host who often leads discussions on the popes' historical narratives, bringing humor and insight to the stories.
Bry
Co-host known for pairing historical insight with comedic delivery, often engaging in witty banter with Fry.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 625 ratings
  • Informative and entertaining

    I started listening to the show midway through my theology studies. It was a lighthearted way to keep general Catholic Church history fresh in my mind. And I was always learning something new. Although I do not agree with all the hosts’ opinions, they complement each other well and offer delightful content.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Marchartier
    Canadaa month ago
  • Hope You Can Cope With All These Dope Popes*

    A really entertaining spin on the RexyPod format, the hosts have fantastic chemistry and are both hilarious. (*not all popes guaranteed to be dope)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nathan Redland
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Bri is full of info, and Fry is a good foil. Not overly reverent, but not deliberately sacrilegious.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Kurt
    2 months ago
  • A great historical look at the history of the papacy. Other than occasional mic quality issues, it’s a great listen. Bry and Fry play off each other well and the rating system adds spice to the series.

    Audible
    5
    The Mana
    United States4 months ago
  • Pope Fun For Catholics and Heathens Alike!

    A great historical look at the history of the papacy. Other than occasional mic quality issues, it’s a great listen. Bry and Fry play off each other well and the rating system adds spice to the series.

    Audible
    5
    The Mana
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The chemistry between hosts brings laughter while delivering informative narrative, appealing to history fans and casual listeners alike.
Listeners appreciate the lighthearted approach to serious historical topics, making it enjoyable and accessible.
Feedback highlights the podcast as a fun, engaging method to learn about the Catholic Church's past without feeling overwhelmed.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#121
Switzerland/History
Apple Podcasts
#224
United Arab Emirates/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Crossover: Judging Benedict with Saga Thing!
Q: What role do you think in terms of Christianity clearly being brought over by someone who was not essentially a missionary?
John discusses the complexities of Iceland's conversion, noting the unconventional ways that Christianity was introduced and negotiated.
Crossover: Judging Benedict with Saga Thing!
Q: How did you first come in contact with the history of Benedict IX originally?
John became interested in Benedict IX while studying church history and discovering the odd references to this rich kid throwing orgies in the Vatican.
Bonus: Friday the 13th!
Q: Do you think the charges against the Templars were politically motivated?
Yes, it was a play on Philip's part to invalidate them using previously effective charges.
Bonus: Friday the 13th!
Q: Did the revived order of Knights Templar attempt to sue the Papacy?
No, not really. They succeeded in getting Pope Benedict XVI to issue an apology, but it was waved off as a bluff scheme.
Crossover: The Agony and the Ecstasy with Biopic: A Podcast Story
Q: Is there a biopic that you love?
Yeah, I'm not usually one to watch biopics. I've seen the rare one here and there.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes

What is PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Episodes center around the history of the papacy, focusing on the lives and legacies of various popes from Peter to Leo XIV. The discussions often weave humor and lightheartedness into the historical narratives, highlighting both significant events and bizarre anecdotes that have shaped the Catholic Church throughout its history. A blend of satire and education, the content seeks to entertain while informing audiences about the complexities of papal history, exploring themes like scandal, reforms, and the unique political landscape surrounding each pope's reign. The hosts' engaging chemistry and witty banter are notable features, making the episodes enjoyable and binge-worthy for casual listeners and history buffs alike.

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Which podcasts are similar to PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes?

These podcasts share a similar audience with PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes:

1. Pirates: Totalus Rankium
2. Rex Factor
3. The History of England
4. Tsar Power
5. Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors

How many episodes of PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes are there?

PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes launched 7 years ago and published 232 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes?

Recent guests on PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes include:

1. John Sexton
2. Dr. Barry Torch
3. Gregg Gassman
4. Greg Gassman
5. Dr. Rutger Kramer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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