The papal name selected by the new pope following his election could offer insights into the direction the Church will take in the years ahead.
The traditional announcement, “Habemus Papa,” meaning “We have a pope,” will be delivered from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. This will be followed by the pope’s given baptismal name in Latin, along with his chosen papal name and its significance.
If the new pope chooses Pope Francis II, this could indicate a continuation of the previous pope’s pastoral focus. However, Francis himself joked that his successor might be John XXIV, named after the .
In the 20th century, Pius was the most frequently chosen papal name. Selecting it again might suggest a return to traditional values within the Church.
Natalia Imperatori-Lee, chair of religious studies at Manhattan University, told The Associated Press that each cardinal likely enters the conclave with a particular name in mind.
For the first millennium of the Church’s history, popes generally used their birth names. The first exception was Roman Mercurius in the 6th century, who, due to his name’s association with a pagan god, chose the name John II.
The practice of adopting a new name became common in the 11th century, particularly among German popes who chose the names of early bishops to “signify continuity,” according to Rev. Roberto Regoli, a historian at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University, speaking to the wire service.
Regoli added that it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that popes began using their chosen names to signal the direction of their papacy.
Regoli stated that the name the new pope chooses will provide insight into his intended path and vision for the Church.
Names like Urban and Innocent haven’t been used for centuries. Imperatori-Lee expressed doubt that anyone would choose “Innocent,” considering the abuse scandals that have plagued the Church.
“I don’t think that would be the right choice,” he said.
Recent papal names include Francis, Benedict, and John Paul.
The AP noted that focused on marginalized groups, such as the poor, prisoners, and the LGBTQ+ community, while promoting peace, brotherhood, and environmental stewardship.
Benedict XVI, elected in 2005, chose his name to honor Benedict XV, who led the Church during World War I and dedicated himself to reconciliation.
John Paul’s choice of name reflected a commitment to reforms, including reducing the prominence of the Latin Mass in favor of local languages and fostering interfaith dialogue, particularly with Judaism.
However, the new pope could also choose a completely new name.
Regoli explained that this would signal a fresh start and a potentially unique program, distinct from his predecessors.
Imperatori-Lee suggested Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuit order to which Francis belonged, as another name that could signal a continuation of Francis’ legacy.
“It would be interesting,” she said. “We’ve never had one of those.”
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