This Collection is comprised of the relics of the Popes who have been canonized or recognized as Saints in the Roman Catholic Church they had led.
A total of 83 out of 264 deceased Popes have been recognized universally as canonized saints, including all of the first 35 Popes (31 of whom were Martyrs) and 52 of the first 54.
If Pope Liberius is numbered amongst the saints as in Eastern Christianity, all of the first 49 Popes become recognized as saints, of whom 31 are Martyrs-saints, and 53 of the first 54 Pontiffs would be acknowledged as saints. In addition, 13 other Popes are in the process of becoming canonized saints: as of December 2018, two are recognized as being Servants of God, two are recognized as being Venerable, and nine have been declared Blessed or Beati, making a total of 95 (97 if Pope Liberius and Pope Adeodatus II are recognized to be Saints) of the 266 Roman Pontiffs being recognized and venerated for their heroic virtues and inestimable contributions to the Church.