Why does the Catholic church have two popes?

Only one of them, Francis, is the actual Pope.

Usually, a Pope dies before another one is appointed. This is a rare time in history when the previous Pope, Benedict, resigned, but he is the “former Pope” not the actual one.

Pope Francis’s given name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

The former Pope Benedict’s given name is Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger.

Bit similar, the present Papal situation, to the Americans having five presidents at the moment.
Four former, and one active.

The resignation of Pope Benedict was to fulfill a prophecy of a time of two Popes. I’m surprised more people don’t know this.

Why would the average, non-catholic person know of such an obscure prophecy?

^ He’s pulling your leg.

LOL! OK. :D

After the death or resignation of a pope, the Holy See enters a period of sede vacante. In this case the particular church is the Diocese of Rome and the “vacant seat” is the cathedra of Saint John Lateran, the cathedral church of the Bishop of Rome. During this period, the Holy See is administered by a regency of the College of Cardinals.

The longest period of sede vacante was:

Clement IV Gregory X 29 November 1268 1 September 1271 2 years 10 months

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sede_vacante

This hiatus is credited with giving rise to the expression ‘long time no see’.

@Zissou I wasn’t joking.

One is retired, non-active. He doesn’t count.

Never heard anything about a prophecy; pretty sure that’s not true. Benedict resigned because of his declining health (he was in his 80s when he resigned; he’s 91 now). He has the title of “Pope Emeritus”, but Francis is the one who has the papacy.

Then I restate the question to you @filmfann. Why would you be surprised that the general, non-Catholic public wouldn’t be aware of some obscure prophesy? Most of us really don’t pay any attention to what the popes are doing or why.