Juan Ponce Enrile Witness to Nine Papal Reigns?

Enrile and the Eternal Papacy: Centenarian to Witness His Ninth Pope

***Juan Ponce Enrile and the 9th pope***

MANILA -Juan Ponce Enrile has long been the subject of memes, jokes, and fascination among Filipinos, often described as having an “immortal” existence. But as history turns another page, the 101-year-old former Senate President continues to be a living witness to events spanning generations—and now, even pontificates on them.

Born on February 14, 1924, Enrile has seen the leadership of the Catholic Church pass from Pope Pius XI to Pope Francis—and now awaits the election of a ninth Supreme Pontiff during his lifetime, following the death of Pope Francis last month.

To put that in perspective: the average Filipino sees only one or two popes in their lifetime. Enrile has seen eight. The conclave to elect the next pope begins May 7, when the College of Cardinals will lock themselves in the Sistine Chapel to choose the next leader of over a billion Catholics.

When Enrile was born, Pius XI was pope—a successor of Benedict XV, who had led the Church through World War I. The young Enrile saw Pius XII ascend in 1939, just as World War II loomed. After that came John XXIII, who served briefly but convened the transformative Second Vatican Council.

Then came the “Year of Three Popes” in 1978: Paul VI died, John Paul I served just 33 days, and John Paul II began a 26-year papacy that shaped the Church well into the 21st century. Benedict XVI shocked the world by resigning in 2013—an act last seen nearly 600 years ago—paving the way for Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Global South.

Now, the Church prepares for its next leader. With three Filipino cardinals—Luis Antonio Tagle, Jose Advincula, and Orlando Quevedo—participating in the conclave, some wonder if the Philippines might see its first-ever pope.

And if that historic moment does come, it seems only fitting that Juan Ponce Enrile—senator, centenarian, and seemingly timeless observer—will be there to see it.

After all, in a country where time moves fast and memories fade, Enrile stands as a curious constant: a man who has seen more popes than most see presidents.

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Eight Popes and Counting: Enrile Poised to Witness Another Papal Election

In a life that has spanned more than a century, former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile continues to be a living chronicle of history—one that now includes witnessing the reigns of eight popes, with the ninth likely just around the corner.

Born on February 14, 1924, Enrile has lived through world wars, revolutions, and now, an unprecedented number of papal transitions. As the Vatican prepares for a new conclave on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Enrile—at 101 years old—may once again observe the rise of another Supreme Pontiff.

Here’s a look at the eight popes who have led the Catholic Church in Enrile’s lifetime:

Pope Pius XI (1922–1939)
Oversaw the Church’s landmark Lateran Treaty with Italy, establishing the Vatican as an independent state.
Pope Pius XII (1939–1958)
Guided the Church during the turbulence of World War II and defined the Assumption of Mary as dogma.
Pope John XXIII (1958–1963)
Known as the “Good Pope,” he initiated the Second Vatican Council, which brought sweeping reforms to the modern Church.
Pope Paul VI (1963–1978)
Completed Vatican II and famously issued Humanae Vitae, reaffirming the Church’s stance on birth control.
Pope John Paul I (1978)
Nicknamed the “Smiling Pope,” his 33-day papacy is one of the shortest in history—yet his warmth left a lasting mark.
Pope John Paul II (1978–2005)
The first non-Italian pope in over 450 years, he became a global icon and played a pivotal role in the fall of Communism in Europe.
Pope Benedict XVI (2005–2013)
A brilliant theologian, he surprised the world by resigning the papacy—the first to do so in almost 600 years.
Pope Francis (2013–2025)
The first Jesuit and Latin American pope, Francis became a symbol of compassion, social justice, and ecological awareness.

Now, with Pope Francis’s passing in April 2025, the Catholic Church enters another sacred transition. The College of Cardinals will gather inside the Sistine Chapel, sealed from the outside world, to elect the next leader of the 1.3 billion-strong Catholic faithful.

With three Filipino cardinals among the electors, whispers of a historic Filipino papacy have gained momentum—adding to the drama of a closely watched conclave.

And watching from afar, with a lifetime of papal history etched in his memory, is Enrile—a man whose age has become a national anecdote, but whose life remains entwined with the unfolding of global history.

From Vatican declarations to world wars and revolutions, Enrile has seen it all. And as the white smoke once again rises over St. Peter’s Square, he may add yet another pope to his extraordinary list.