Here are some of the most iconic and curious nicknames given to popes over the past 150 years:
Leo XIII“The Pope of the Workers”
Pope Leo XIII (1878–1903) was deeply concerned about workers’ rights.
He published the encyclical Rerum Novarum, which stipulated that workers must have the right to employment that respects their dignity and ensures a fair wage.
For this reason, he was called “il papa dei lavoratori,” meaning “the Pope of the Workers.”
Saint Pius X“The Pope of the Eucharist”
Saint Pius X (1903–1914) had a deep love for the Eucharist and wished for the faithful to contemplate the Body of Christ with the same love.
Furthermore, during his time, many Catholics received Communion only once a year.
Throughout his pontificate, he issued several decrees encouraging the faithful to receive Communion more frequently, and he promoted children’s access to the Eucharist - whereas the custom until then had been to wait until a child was between 10 and 14 years old to receive First Communion, he lowered the age.
It is for these reasons that he is known as “il papa dell’Eucaristia,” “the Pope of the Eucharist.”
Saint John XXIII“The Good Pope”
Known for his kind nature and cheerful disposition, Pope John XXIII (1958–1963) is nicknamed in Italy “il papa buono,” meaning “the good pope.”
Among his many qualities, the faithful remembered him as a pope of great kindness and simplicity, wearing a ready smile, with genuine compassion and a warm, approachable demeanor.
Upon his death, he was also described as “the most beloved pope in history.”
Saint Paul VI“The Pilgrim Pope”
Pope Paul VI (1963–1978) was the first pope to fly by plane and travel to all five continents, earning him the nickname “il papa pellegrino,” meaning “the pilgrim pope.”
He undertook 10 apostolic journeys, paving the way for his successors who followed his missionary example.
His first trip took place to the Holy Land in 1964.
Blessed John Paul I“The Smiling Pope”
Pope John Paul I (1978) is remembered for his warm demeanor and closeness to the people, which earned him the affectionate nickname “il papa del sorriso,” meaning “the smiling pope.”
His pontificate was very brief: 33 days after his election, he died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 65.
He was distinguished by his great humility: when referring to himself, he abandoned the royal “we” which had been employed by previous popes, and refused to be carried on the popes’ portable throne.
Saint John Paul II“The Pope of the Youth” or “God’s Athlete”
Deeply loved by the faithful, Pope John Paul II (1978–2005) placed particular importance on the apostolate among young people.
He was notably the founder of World Youth Day. This is why he is nicknamed “il papa dei giovani,” “the Pope of the Youth.”
However, Karol Wojtyla was also known by other names, such as "l’atleta di Dio," “God’s Athlete,” due to his passion for sports and the mountains.
He is also called “the pilgrim pope” because he is one of the most traveled popes in the history of the papacy, having traveled more than 745,000 miles — the equivalent of about 30 trips around the world and more than three times the distance from Earth to the Moon.
Pope Benedict XVI“The Green Pope”
While Pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013) stood out for his intellect and theological acumen, he also made a mark with his focus on the environment, gaining for himself the nickname “il papa verde,” “the green pope.”
He emphasized the moral nature of care for creation, calling “the destruction of the environment” a sin.
He touched on this theme particularly in his message for the World Day of Peace in 2010 and in his encyclical Caritas in veritate.
A secular news site once reported that Benedict was wearing green vestments at a public Mass because of his concern for ecology.
(The site later corrected the mistake, recognizing that it was simply the color corresponding to that moment of the liturgical year.)
He famously had the roof of Paul VI’s hall covered with solar panels, and also collaborated with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople in raising awareness of the “great threats to the natural environment” that could have “negative consequences for humanity and the whole of creation.”