The story of the Paisa who proclaimed himself pope and ended up being excommunicated by the Church

The recent election of the new Pope Leo XIV, following the death of Pope Francis, news that flooded the headlines of the media worldwide, recalls the time when a Colombian proclaimed himself Supreme Pontiff , after the death of Pius XI in 1939.

According to media outlets such as the BBC , that man was Antonio José Hurtado, a dentist from Paisa, originally from Barbosa, north of the Aburrá Valley.

After the death of the current pope, Hurtado sent letters directly to the Vatican, pitching himself as the best person to fill the position. “He sent three telegrams, saying he was the right man to replace Pius XI. He never received a response,” historian Francisco Restrepo Toro told the BBC.

Not receiving a response, Hurtado decided to proclaim himself pope, under the name 'Peter II', a title that popes do not adopt out of respect for the memory of the apostle Peter.

Hurtado had attended the Santa Rosa de Osos seminary, but had to withdraw from his studies after his father's death, so he never completed his priestly formation.

Later, he became a dentist, teaching himself the trade. When he proclaimed himself pope, he transformed his office into the Vatican II and his chair into the papal throne. "He rules in Rome, and I rule here. Just as Mussolini rules in Italy, and the Liberal Party rules here," was how the Colombian defended his decision, according to historian Restrepo Toro.

The "Paisa Pope" appeared dressed in a white cassock, imparted blessings, and celebrated during Christmas and Holy Week. He also appointed bishops and priests and published a newspaper, "El Emmanuel," in which he shared his ideas for the Church. He even helped with charitable works, providing free food and dental care to the needy.

"He became a celebrity. He was visited by important politicians, such as the future president of Colombia, Guillermo León Valencia, and other prominent figures," the historian noted.

All of this caused great discomfort to the official Catholic Church, which decided to excommunicate him not once, but twice. Despite this, Hurtado continued his work, leading the Church to threaten to excommunicate the believers who followed him.

He continued to call himself "Peter II" until his death, although at some point he attempted to reconcile with the Church. He finally died in 1955 on a street in his town, near his home. "Little by little, he organized his death: he had a simple pine coffin made, as they do for popes in Rome, and wrote a will, just as the Pontiffs do," Restrepo recalled.

Hurtado suffered from complications due to diabetes and died at the age of 63. Bags of lottery tickets he never won were reportedly found in his home, and he even left a will in which he donated his papal throne to the Vatican Museums, although it remained in his home.