How Popes Choose Their Names And What's Its Significance
When white smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel and the words "Habemus Papam" (We have a pope) echo across St Peter's Square, the Catholic Church gets its new leader. But even before he steps onto the balcony, one crucial decision is already made: his name.
Choosing a new name is the pope's first public act. From Francis to Benedict, John Paul to Pius, papal names carry stories of reform and transformation.
The pope's chosen name isn't just a preference or a nod to a favourite saint. It is often the first message to the world about who he intends to be, the legacy he honours, and the direction he hopes to steer the Church.
History Of Papal Name Changes
For the first 500 years, popes retained their birth names. The practice of adopting a new name began with Pope John II in 533, born Mercurius. He changed his name to avoid the pagan connotations associated with Mercury, the Roman god.
The last pope to keep his birth name was Marcellus II in 1555.
Over time, adopting a papal name became customary, with most popes choosing names of predecessors or saints they wished to emulate. The most popular papal names have been John, Gregory, Benedict, Clement, and Innocent.
How Does A Pope Choose His Name?
There are no formal rules governing how a pope selects his name. Joshua McManaway, assistant professor at Notre Dame's McGrath Institute for Church Life, told The Pillar, "There are very few rules for the man at the top, so they're allowed to choose what they want."
While popes have freedom in choosing their names, there's an unwritten tradition. No pope has taken the name "Peter II." This is likely out of reverence for St Peter, the first pope appointed by Christ. Mr McManaway said, "I suspect it is humility or perhaps even because one does not want to compare oneself to the one pope we know Christ chose himself."
Not all popes choose their names based on past pontiffs. Pope Pius II, who led from 1458 to 1464, picked his name because he loved books. His real name was Enea Silvio Piccolomini, and he chose "Pius" after a character named Aeneas in a famous poem, 'The Aeneid', who was called "pious Aeneas."
Another example is Pope Julius II. He first wanted to be called "Formosus II". "Formosus" means "handsome" in Latin. The cardinals, however, advised against it, so he went with "Julius II" instead.
There is something odd about the numbering of popes named John. In 1958, Pope John XXIII was elected, but there was never a Pope John XX. This mix-up happened because of confusion in old records, including mistakes and the counting of some fake popes (called antipopes). So now, the official list says there have been 21 Popes named John, even though number 20 is missing.
Why Pope Francis Chose His Name
In 2013, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio became pope and chose the name "Francis," inspired by St Francis of Assisi. It was a big deal since no pope had picked a completely new name in over 1,000 years, not since Pope Lando in 914.
Pope Francis later said he was moved by Cardinal Claudio Hummes, who hugged him after his election and said, "Don't forget the poor." That made him think of St Francis of Assisi, who is known for living simply and caring for the poor.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
19 hours ago
- The Hindu
Rising tuition fees in Catholic schools push African families to the brink
A crying parent with an unpaid tuition balance walked into the staff room of a Catholic private school and begged the teachers to help enrol her son. The school's policy required the woman pay at least 60% of her son's full tuition bill before he could join the student body. She didn't have the money and was led away. 'She was pleading, 'Please help me,'' said Beatrice Akite, a teacher at St. Kizito Secondary School in Uganda's capital city, who witnessed the outburst. Two weeks into second term, Ms. Akite recounted the woman's desperate moment to highlight how distressed parents are being crushed by unpredictable fees they can't pay, forcing their children to drop out of school. It's leaving many in sub-Saharan Africa — which has the world's highest dropout rates — to criticise the mission-driven Catholic Church for not doing enough to ease the financial pressure families face. The Catholic Church is the region's largest nongovernmental investor in education. Catholic schools have long been a pillar of affordable but high-quality education, especially for poor families. Towards privatisation Their appeal remains strong even with competition from other nongovernmental investors now eyeing schools as enterprises for profit. The growing trend toward privatisation is sparking concern that the Catholic Church may price out the people who need uplifting. Ms. Akite hopes Catholic leaders support measures that would streamline fees across schools of comparable quality. Kampala's St. Kizito Secondary School, where Ms. Akite teaches literature, was founded by priests of the Comboni missionary order, known for its dedication to serving poor communities. Its students come mostly from working-class families and tuition per term is roughly $300, a substantial sum in a country where GDP per capita was about $1,000 in 2023. Yet that tuition is lower than at many other Catholic-run schools in Kampala, Ms. Akite said. One of the most expensive private schools in Kampala, the Catholic-run Uganda Martyrs' Secondary School Namugongo, maintains a policy of 'zero balance' when a child reports to school at the beginning of a three-month term. This means students must be fully paid by the time they report to school. Tuition at the school was once as high as $800 but has since dropped to about $600 as enrolment swelled to nearly 5,000, said deputy headmaster James Batte. On a recent morning, there was a queue of parents waiting outside Batte's office to request more time to clear tuition balances. Luxury setup Daniel Birungi, an electrical engineer in Kampala whose son enroled this year at St. Mary's College Kisubi in Uganda, said the emerging risk for traditional Catholic schools is to cater only to the rich. There is hot water in the bathrooms, he said, describing what he felt was a trend toward levels of luxury he never imagined as a student there in the 1990s. Now, students are prohibited from packing snacks and instead encouraged to buy what they need from school-owned canteens, he said. The World Bank reported in 2023 that 54% of adults in sub-Saharan Africa rank the issue of paying school fees higher than medical bills and other expenses.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Herbs to Banish Negativity – Because Not Every Vibe Deserves a Seat at the Table
Sometimes it's not the people causing the issue, it's simply the prevailing energy. And in such cases, herbs? They're truly nature's most effective bouncers. Negative energy doesn't just confine itself to horror movies or your ex's DMs—it has a tendency to stick to places, cling to people, and even linger in that one specific corner of a room that always feels inexplicably "off. " But before you feel the need to call a priest or smudge everything into a smoke alarm-triggering situation, consider these power-packed herbs, renowned across various cultures for effectively sending bad juju packing. 1. Sage – The MVP of Cleansing Widely recognized as the Beyoncé of banishing rituals. White sage, in particular, is frequently used to thoroughly clear spaces of stagnant or heavy energy. Simply light it, wave the smoke around, and bid a firm goodbye to that lingering emotional hangover. 2. Rosemary – The Warrior Herb Rosemary isn't just a delightful addition to your pasta dishes. In various folklore traditions, it's firmly believed to repel feelings of jealousy, deceit, and even psychic attacks. You can burn it, boil it, or simply carry a small sprig—just make sure you don't underestimate its potent, old-school witchy power. 3. Basil – The Energy Filter Basil not only attracts blessings but also actively works to kick out negativity. In Hindu traditions, Tulsi (Holy Basil) is revered as sacred for very good reason—it purifies not just the physical space, but is also believed to purify one's karma. And, as an added bonus, mosquitoes reportedly detest it too. It's a clear win-win situation. 4. Bay Leaves – For Wishes and Warding Off Weirdness Grab a bay leaf, write down what specifically needs to leave your life (be it toxic vibes, persistent overthinking, or that confusing situationship), and then ceremonially burn it. This isn't just dramatic; it's a form of symbolic spellwork with deep roots in ancient Roman magical practices. 5. Lavender – Peace in Plant Form This soothing herb calms the mind, softens the heart, and effectively helps kick anxiety out the window. Utilizing lavender smoke or essential oil is a gentle yet potent way to remove internal chaos without resorting to something as drastic as a full exorcism. 6. Cedar – Ancient Forest Energy Used extensively by Indigenous cultures for centuries. Cedar doesn't just banish unwanted energy—it actively protects the space. Think of it as the spiritual equivalent of putting on a pair of noise-canceling headphones for your environment. 7. Mugwort – The Dream Gatekeeper This particular herb is especially beneficial for those who tend to overthink and over-feel. Mugwort helps clear subconscious clutter, aids in vivid and insightful dreams, and diligently guards the aura like a highly effective cosmic security guard. How to Use Them: Burn them as incense or in bundles (a practice commonly known as smudging). Infuse them into your bathwater for a cleansing soak. Create sprays using their essential oils diluted with water. Carry small amounts in a charm bag or pouch for personal protection. Place them under your pillow for dream work or near entryways to protect your home. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Indian Express
From revolution to wars: The history of Harvard, America's oldest university
It's a challenging time for America's oldest university, as it stands embroiled in a legal battle with President Donald Trump's government. And yet, Harvard has been holding its own; a reflection of the values that have marked its long and prestigious history, one that was marked by resilience and rebellion. 'The debut of Harvard College,' according to Bainbridge Bunting in Harvard: An Architectural History (1985), 'was not auspicious.' Established in October 1636, Harvard had neither the finances nor the faculty needed to operate a university. But what it did have was the vision of a group of cultivators and artisans who fled the tyranny of British occupants in Old England and moved to a region in the northeastern United States called New England. This group, according to Bunting, 'had the advantage of the best education available in England in the seventeenth century.' Comprising the alumni of both Oxford and Cambridge universities, they hoped to give their sons a comparable education. The absence of an institution of repute in New England led to the genesis of Harvard, the oldest of America's Ivy League schools. 'Yale, Princeton, Harvard, Brown are all plugged in the northeast, in New England. Harvard has played a major role in building this geographical cluster,' says Mohit Sinha, an alumnus of Harvard, in an interview with An eight-acre house comprising a one-acre cow yard was quickly purchased to build the College. By 1637, Harvard had its first Master, Cambridge alumnus Nathaniel Eaton. Interestingly, the university was not always called Harvard. 'When it was set up, it was called New College. It was renamed Harvard College after its biggest benefactor, John Harvard,' remarks Sinha. Harvard, on his deathbed, gave to the university his library and estate. Eaton, however, was quickly dismissed on charges of brutality and physical abuse. The arrival of Cambridge graduate Henry Dunster as the president in 1640 offered a glimmer of hope. 'The youngest in the long line of Harvard presidents, he proved to be one of the greatest,' writes alumnus and author Samuel Eliot Morison in Three Centuries of Harvard (1636-1936). His effort was particularly concentrated on completing the college buildings. By the 1650s, Harvard had about 60 students enrolled. Boys had come from Bermuda, Virginia, New Amsterdam, and even England, where Harvard degrees were now accepted by Oxford and Cambridge as equivalent to their own. A dispute with the administration, unfortunately, led Dunster to resign in 1654. 'Harvard University grew out of the Liberal Arts college as Dunster left it,' remarks Morison. Academic and student life in the seventeenth-century Harvard was guided by the Catholic Church. A college pamphlet from 1643 states the vision of the College: 'To advance learning and perpetuate it to Posterity; dreading to leave an illiterate ministry to the churches.' In other words, a learned clergy was what Harvard was expected to supply. An average day for a Harvard student began and ended with prayer, which included the recitation of a chapter of Scripture by the President. Saturdays were dedicated to preparations for the Sabbath, which included worship and meditation. Students, according to Morison, were reminded that the focus of their academic pursuit was the greater knowledge of God. It was thus no surprise that Harvard, at the time, was known as the 'School of Prophets,' and its men as the 'Sons of Prophets.' The 1700s were a period of prosperity for Harvard. The decade began with the Presidency of John Leverett. His first concern was to refurbish the dilapidated college buildings. Tables, chairs, feather beds, and looking glasses were supplied in abundance. While no major changes were made to the curriculum, the number of student enrollments increased. French was also introduced as a subject. Interestingly, the French tutor was the only staff member without a Harvard degree. Expulsion was a particularly dreadful process. After assembling the entire college in the hall, the President would announce the crime and sentence. The butler would then strike off the name of the offenders from the bulletin board, which contained the names of all members of the College. However, the culprit could publicly confess their misdeeds and be forgiven as per the Christian principle. Another notable aspect was that until 1749, classes at Harvard were placed in order of the presumed social rank of parents. However, as classes grew bigger, the process turned complex. In 1769, the decision was made that arrangements would now be alphabetical. Leverett's leadership helped Harvard grow from a weak institution to one of considerable repute. According to Morison, it was Leverett who founded the liberal tradition of Harvard University. Discussion on the Harvard of the eighteenth century cannot be without the university's response to the American Revolution (1775-1783). Experts and accounts claim that Harvard men played a significant part in carrying through the Revolution. Plato's dialogues and Aristotle's virtues guided their actions of the time. Morison mentions several public speaking clubs, including the Speaking Club, the Mercurian Club, and the Clintonian Club, were established as secret societies in the College. Yet, the American Revolutionary War placed the College under difficult circumstances. Students fell in numbers, supplies fell short, and wartime inflation exacerbated the ongoing financial crisis. The dominant feeling at Harvard during the Civil War (1861-1865) was for the Union, which advocated conciliation as well as the abolition of slavery. 'Harvard very clearly fought for the Union. A lot of constitutional lawmaking, post the Civil War, was done by Harvard scholars, both ex-students as well as faculty,' says Sinha. Harvard, thus, has had a central role in establishing the legal framework of the country. 'And there's always been dissent.' However, college went on as usual, and attendance was normal. President Abraham Lincoln kept his son at Harvard at the time, until his graduation in 1864. This was also the century when Harvard expanded significantly. The Medical School, set up in 1782, introduced entrance examinations, and laboratories for Physiology and Microscopic Anatomy were created. The summer of 1900 also witnessed Harvard open its doors for women. Harvard president Charles William Eliot mentioned the move to make the university gender-inclusive. However, he was cautious to say that Harvard would avoid 'the difficulties involved in common residence of hundreds of young men and women of immature character and marriageable age.' 'There was the Radcliffe College, which was a girls' college that was associated with Harvard, but it was a separate identity,' explains Sinha. It was only in the 1970s that the college was drafted into Harvard University. The 389-year-old journey of Harvard has several lessons to offer. 'What Harvard is doing today in terms of pushing back is not its first,' says Sinha. From the American War of Independence through the Civil War, we see Harvard's resilience in the face of conflict. This, the 'Harvard man,' Sinha, asserts, will be another successful litigation case against the Trump administration. Nikita writes for the Research Section of focusing on the intersections between colonial history and contemporary issues, especially in gender, culture, and sport. For suggestions, feedback, or an insider's guide to exploring Calcutta, feel free to reach out to her at ... Read More
