Elected pope on March 23, 752, Stephen II died just two days later — before receiving episcopal consecration, which was at the time required for a valid papacy. His brief "reign" lasted 48 hours. His status remains one of the most debated questions in papal history. The Catholic Church officially removed him from its list of popes in 1961, ruling that episcopal consecration is the criterion for being pope. However, Wikidata and many historians still list him, causing the numbering of subsequent Stephens to vary by one across different sources (hence "Stephen II (III)", "Stephen III (IV)", etc.). Nationality: Papal States Born: c. 714 Died: April 25, 752 Pontificate: April 3, 752 – April 25, 752 (2 days — died before consecration)