Pope Stephen II

Stephen II, pope in March of 752.

There is a problem in counting the Pope Stephens.

Stephen II was elected on the death of his predecessor Zacharias on or about March 23, 752. Three days later he died of apoplexy before he had been consecrated. Therefore some listmakers do not count him as having been pope, throwing off the Stephen-count. Modern historians typically include him, but one does sometimes see his successor-Stephens numbered with parentheses, so that his immediate successor could be denoted Stephen (II) III.

preceded by Pope Zacharias, (741-752)

succeeded by Pope Stephen III, (752-757)