
What does the new pope's name mean?
American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the new pontiff, choosing Pope Leo XIV as his name.
His election was declared from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica on Thursday after the Latin announcement "Habemus Papam" - "We have a pope."
Leo is more than just an ordinary name; since the mid-20th century, papal names have been considered a statement of intent.
"In the deepest recesses of their mind, when they start the conclave, everyone will walk in there with a name in their head," said Natalia Imperatori-Lee, chair of religious studies at Manhattan University.
More often than not, these names are taken from previous popes.
What could Pope Leo's chosen name tell us about his leadership?
Robert Francis Prevost is the 14th pontiff to choose Leo as his papal name.
While the name Leo is not mentioned in the bible, it carries connotations of strength and courage due to Prevost's predecessors and the name's association with lions.
The first to choose the name Leo was Pope Leo the Great, who led the Catholic Church from 440-461.
He is known as one of the most influential popes after standing up to Attila the Hun, who ended up sparing Rome.
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The last pope who took the name was the head of the Catholic Church from 1878 and 1903. Pope Leo XIII was a progressive pontiff who laid the foundations for modern Catholic social thought as he led the church into the 20th century.
Pope Leo XIII softened the church's confrontational stance toward modern science and politics - including his campaigning for workers' rights - at the time.
Choosing Leo as his papal name could indicate that Pope Leo XIV is set to follow in Francis's footsteps as a progressive leading the Catholic Church in times of turmoil with wars in Gaza and Ukraine as well as dwindling numbers of faithful.
What would other names have signified?
John is the most common name chosen by past popes, and the one Francis often suggested for his successor.
John can refer to St John the Apostle, one of Jesus' 12 apostles and the author of one of the Gospels, or St John the Baptist, the prophet who baptised Jesus.
The choice would have evoked Pope John XXIII, who led the church from 1958 to 1963 - a man often referred to as "the good pope".
John helped work behind the scenes to de-escalate the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The name Francis II would have alluded to the continuity of Jorge Mario Bergoglio's legacy as pope - one with a more progressive, modern approach.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose the name Francis after the 13th century St Francis of Assisi, known for his humility, life of poverty, love of all creatures and anti-war stance.
Living up to his name, Francis ushered in a swathe of reforms over his 12-year papacy, symbolised to many an increasingly modern, progressive, and inclusive Catholic Church.
He diverged from his predecessors on many contentious issues within the church, more openly embraced LGBTQ individuals, decrying climate change, calling for ceasefires and highlighting wealth inequality.
The name Paul, which was chosen by six previous popes, and alludes to St Paul the Apostle, who spread the teachings of Jesus in the 1st century.
The name could have honoured Pope Paul VI, pontiff from 1963 to 1978. He is generally seen as a more cautious figure and a careful consolidator.
Some cardinals had reportedly been saying, quietly, that a new Pope Paul was exactly what was needed after Francis, as he held views that weren't always appreciated by more traditional church members.
Pius was the most popular papal name of the 20th century, and would have indicated that a traditionalist was taking back the papacy.
It would have been a name in particularly stark contrast to Francis, as Pius' throughout history are known for their anti-reformist views.
Pius IX, for example, ordered the kidnapping of the Jewish boy Edgardo Mortara in 1858 and raised him Catholic in the Vatican after learning he had been secretly baptised by a housekeeper, while Pius XII was the World War II-era pope criticised for not speaking out sufficiently about the Holocaust.
Benedict was last chosen by German cardinal Joseph Ratzinger - or Pope Benedict XVI - elected in 2005.
He wanted to pay homage to the 6th century St Benedict, founder of Western monasticism, who helped spread Christianity throughout Europe and Benedict XV, who led the church during World War I and dedicated himself to healing the rifts of war.
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The Independent
9 hours ago
- The Independent
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The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
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The Sun
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- The Sun
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