Was Benedict XVI the 264th or the 265th pope?
The short answer
Both numbers are correct, counted differently. Benedict XVI was the 264th successor of Peter — and since Peter was the first pope, that makes Benedict the 265th pope.
Popes vs. successors
The confusion comes from not distinguishing the number of popes from the number of Peter's successors.
The answer
Benedict XVI was the 264th successor of Peter, the first pope. Counting Peter himself, that makes Benedict the 265th pope.
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