Death of Pius IX: The Longest-Reigning Pope

Statue of Pope Pius IX by Ignazio Jacometti, Santa Maria Maggiore

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On February 7th 1878, Pope Pius IX died. His pontificate had lasted almost thirty two years, making him the longest-reigning pope in the history of the papacy. 

​Only three popes have reigned for twenty-five years or more; the other two are his immediate successor Leo XIII (r. 1878-1903) and John Paul II (r. 1978-2005). 

The tomb of Pope Pius IX (r. 1846-78) lies in the church of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura. 

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Tomb of Pope Pius IX, San Lorenzo fuori le Mura