Boniface denied the document and its claims, but he reminded them that previous popes had deposed three French kings.

Only three previous popes led the church for longer.

The conclave believed he was strongly opposed to the nepotism that had been a feature of previous popes.

He pointed out that the Vatican never confirmed that the previous pope had Parkinson's disease.

Gregory was accused of murdering four previous popes.

The previous pope was the subject of some jokes, though not to this extent.

Indeed, her first marriage had been annulled by a previous pope, Julius II, on that basis.

John proved to be a radical break with the two previous popes, and indeed with most of the popes of the 20th century.

The dialogue with the Jews was a crucial part of the mission of the previous pope.

John Paul II has made a total of 1,340 beatifications (including today's), more than all previous popes combined.