List of sexually active popes
This is a list of sexually active popes, Catholic priests who were not celibate before they became pope, and popes who were legally married. Some candidates were sexually active before their election as pope, and others were accused of being sexually active during their papacies. A number of them had offsprings. The Second Lateran Council made the promise to remain celibate a prerequisite to ordination, abolishing the married priesthood. Sexual relationships were generally undertaken therefore outside the bond of matrimony and each sexual act thus committed is considered a mortal sin by the Roman Catholic Church.
There are various classifications for those who were sexually active at some time during their lives. Periods in parentheses refer to the years of their papacies.
Background
For many years of the Church's history, celibacy was considered optional. Based on the customs of the times, it is assumed by many that most of the Apostles, such as Peter, were married and had families. It is clear from the New Testament that at least Peter had been married, and that bishops, presbyters and deacons of the Early Church were often married as well. It is also clear from epigraphy, the testimony of the Church Fathers, synodal legislation, papal decretals and other sources that in the following centuries a married clergy, in greater or lesser numbers, was a normal feature of the life of the Church. Celibacy was not required for those ordained, but still was a discipline that could be practised in the early Church, particularly by those in the monastic life.Although various local Church councils had demanded celibacy of the clergy in a particular area, it was not until the Second Lateran Council that whole of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church decided to accept people for ordination only after they had taken a promise of celibacy. This applied to the leadership of the Church.
Popes who were legally married
| Name | Reign | Relationship | Offspring | Notes |
| Saint Peter | Mother-in-law is mentioned in the Gospel verses,, and who was healed by Jesus at her home in Capernaum. asks whether others have the right to be accompanied by Christian wives as does "Cephas". Clement of Alexandria wrote: "When the blessed Peter saw his own wife led out to die, he rejoiced because of her summons and her return home, and called to her very encouragingly and comfortingly, addressing her by name, and saying, 'Remember the Lord.' Such was the marriage of the blessed, and their perfect disposition toward those dearest to them." | Yes | Later legends, dating from the 6th century onwards, suggested that Peter had a daughter – identified as Saint Petronilla. This, however, is likely to be a result of the similarity of their names. | |
| Felix III | Widowed before he was elected as pope | Yes | Himself the son of a priest he fathered two children, one of which was the antecedent of Pope Gregory the Great. | |
| Hormisdas | Widowed before he took holy orders | Yes | Father of Pope Silverius. | |
| Adrian II | Married to Stephania before he took holy orders, she was still living when he was elected pope and resided with him in the Lateran Palace | Yes | His wife and daughter both resided with him until they were murdered by Eleutherius, brother of Anastasius Bibliothecarius, the Church's chief librarian. | |
| John XVII | Married before his election as pope | Yes | All of his children became priests. | |
| Clement IV | Married before taking holy orders | Yes | Both children entered a convent | |
| Honorius IV | Widowed before entered the clergy | Yes |
Fathered illegitimate children before holy orders
| Name | Reign | Relationship | Offspring | Notes |
| Pius II | Not married | Yes | Two children, both born before he formally entered the clergy. The first child fathered while in Scotland, but which died in infancy. A second child fathered while in Strasbourg with a Breton woman named Elizabeth. The child died 14 months later. Delayed becoming a cleric because of the requirement of chastity. | |
| Innocent VIII | Not married | Yes | Both born before he entered the clergy. Nepotism described as "lavish as it was shameless." Married elder son Franceschetto Cybo to the daughter of Lorenzo de' Medici, who in return obtained the cardinal's hat for his 13-year-old son Giovanni, who became Pope Leo X. His daughter Teodorina Cybo married Gerardo Usodimare. | |
| Clement VII | Not married. Relationship with a slave girl – possibly Simonetta da Collevecchio | Yes | Identified as Alessandro de' Medici, Duke of Florence. |
Known to, or suspected of having fathered illegitimate children after receiving holy orders
Relationships with women
Relationships with women and men
Popes alleged to be sexually active during pontificate
Relationships with women
Relationships with men
Relationships with women and men
| Name | Reign | Relationship | Offspring | Notes |
| Benedict IX | . | Not married | No | Accused by Bishop Benno of Piacenza of "many vile adulteries." Pope Victor III referred in his third book of Dialogues to "his rapes... and other unspeakable acts." His life prompted Peter Damian to write an extended treatise against illicit sex in general, and homosexuality in particular. In his Liber Gomorrhianus, Damian accused Benedict IX of routine sodomy and bestiality and sponsoring orgies. In May 1045, Benedict IX resigned his office to get married. |