Pius

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pius is a male name, from the Latin word pius, the meaning of which is similar to the English "pious" from piety , meaning a desire and willingness to perform religious duties. The name is most commonly associated with popes, twelve of whom (including three in the twentieth century and seven in the last 250 years), have taken the name Pius.

Notable persons named Pius:

[edit] Emperor

• Antoninus Pius - Roman Emperor 138 to 161

[edit] Popes

Main article Pope Pius

• Pius I, saint, pope 140/142 to 155
• Pius II, pope 1458 to 1464
• Pius III, pope in 1503
• Pius IV, pope 1559 to 1565
• Pius V, saint, pope 1566 to 1572
• Pius VI, pope 1775 to 1799
• Pius VII, pope 1800 to 1823
• Pius VIII, pope 1829 to 1830
• Pius IX, pope 1846 to 1878
• Pius X, saint, pope 1903 to 1914
• Pius XI, pope 1922 to 1939
• Pius XII, pope 1939 to 1958

There is also an Antipope Pius XIII who leads the breakaway True Catholic Church sect.

In the Babylon 5 science fiction saga, Pius XV is a fictional early 22nd Century Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Pius XV was featured in the novel Dark Genesis.

Aside from the usage of the name for popes, a character in the Harry Potter series is named Pius Thicknesse.

[edit] Other Christians

Pius Ncube Catholic Arch Bishop of Harare and outspoken critic of Robert Mugabe