What does the new American Pope's name mean for his future choices? Inside the history of the name Leo - and the stories of the 13 pontiffs before him

Daily Mail​

08-05-2025

Robert Prevost has been named as the new Pope and will become Francis' successor following two days of voting inside the Sistine Chapel.
In a historic first, the 69-year-old American missionary who made his name ministering in Peru, has been elected pope — the first American to ascend to the Catholic Church's highest office in its 2,000-year history.
Stepping onto the world stage as Pope Leo XIV, the new pontiff's first decision has sent a powerful signal about the direction he may take the Church.
The name was announced to cheering crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square by a senior cardinal early today.
The choice of papal name, the first glimpse into the vision of a new pope, is no small matter in the Vatican.
It is steeped in tradition and carefully considered, often providing clues to the papal agenda.
'The papal name Leo unsurprisingly shows a Pope who is going to be strong during a time of crisis, historically,' Catholic priest and blogger Ed Tomlinson told the Independent.
Tomlinson also noted: 'It seems likely to be a continuation of Francis's liberalisation.'
The last pope to bear the name was Leo XIII, who reigned from 1878 to 1903 and is remembered for his intellectual leadership and his encyclicals on the rights of workers.
The first, Leo the Great, ruled from 440 to 461 and is revered as a Doctor of the Church for defending orthodox teachings during a time of political and theological upheaval.
The adoption of a papal name is an ancient tradition, dating back to the 6th century when Roman-born Mercurius declined to rule under a name honouring a pagan god and instead became John II.
It became customary by the 11th century and has since evolved into a deeply symbolic act.
'Even now, as we are waiting for the new pope, the name with which he will present himself will help us to understand the horizon towards which he wants to proceed,' said Rev. Roberto Regoli, historian at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University.
Names like John, Benedict, and Gregory have been popular over the centuries.
Since the mid-20th century, however, the focus of name selection has shifted, now signalling the new pontiff's priorities and the theological or pastoral legacy he hopes to uphold.
'A Pope Francis II would have signalled a continuation of the late pontiff's focus on pastoral care and the marginalised.'
Pope Francis himself even joked that his successor might be John XXIV, referencing the progressive legacy of the Second Vatican Council era.
Conversely, had Cardinal Prevost taken the name Pius, it would have echoed a more traditionalist tone.
The name Peter, considered sacred in Catholic tradition, has never been chosen - out of reverence for Saint Peter, the Church's first pope.
Leo the Great (Pope from 440 - 461)
A towering figure in early Christendom, Leo I earned his title 'the Great' not just for his courage, famously persuading Attila the Hun to spare Rome, but for defining Church doctrine.
At the Council of Chalcedon in 451, Leo's teachings triumphed, establishing the belief in Christ's dual nature—both human and divine—still held by the Church today.
Leo II (Pope from 682-683)
A gentle soul and eloquent preacher, Leo II's papacy was brief but compassionate.
Known for his charity and musical interest, his key act was confirming the Sixth Ecumenical Council's condemnation of Monothelitism - a doctrine suggesting Christ had only one will.
Leo III (Pope from 795 - 816)
Neither an outstanding churchman nor an astute politician, Leo III is remembered basically for one thing: making history on Christmas Day in the year 800.
Inside the original St Peter's Basilica, he crowned Charlemagne as Emperor, effectively launching the Holy Roman Empire.
But controversy surrounded him - rumours swirled of immorality, and he lacked noble birth, which didn't sit well with everyone.
Leo IV (Pope from 847-855)
A papal builder and defender, Leo IV rebuilt churches wrecked by Arab raiders and erected the mighty Leonine Wall to protect the Vatican.
He united Italian cities to win the sea Battle of Ostia and even left his mark on Christian art - a rooster atop St Peter's Basilica, a symbol of Peter's denial of Christ still seen on churches today.
Leo V (Pope in 903)
A pope for just over two months in 903, Leo V's reign ended in betrayal. He granted tax relief to the canons of Bologna but was soon overthrown and imprisoned by the ambitious Cardinal Christopher, who took the papacy for himself.
Leo likely died in captivity. Whether from murder or natural causes remains a mystery.
Leo VI (Pope in 928)
Chosen in chaotic times by the powerful Roman noblewoman Marozia, Leo VI ruled for just seven months. His most memorable acts? Sending bishops back to their dioceses, banning castrati from marrying, and urging Christians to rise against Arab raiders - promising heavenly rewards for those who died defending the faith.
'Whoever died faithful in this struggle will not see himself refused entry into the heavenly kingdom.'
Leo VII (Pope from 936-939)
He had little ambition towards the papacy, but consented under pressure from the political powerbroker Alberic II of Spoleto.
He helped broker peace between Alberic and King Hugh of Italy through an arranged marriage and appointed a German archbishop to reform the Church.
Notably, he allowed, but did not enforce, the expulsion of unbaptised Jews.
Leo VIII (Pope from 963-964)
Pope Leo VIII (c. 915 – 1 March 965) was a Roman prelate who claimed the Holy See from 963 until 964 in opposition to John XII and Benedict V and again from 23 June 964 to his death.
Today, he is considered by the Catholic Church to have been an antipope during the first period and the legitimate Pope during the second.
An appointee of Holy Roman Emperor Otto I, Leo VIII's pontificate occurred after the period known as the saeculum obscurum or the dark century.
Leo IX (Pope from 1048-1054)
Leo IX crisscrossed Europe calling councils and implementing sweeping reforms. He stood firm on papal authority but his bold stance led to the East–West Schism, a split between the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
His lowest moment? Being captured by Norman forces in 1053 and held for nine months in captivity.
The reign of Leo IX is memorable for two reasons. First is the extensive reforms he implemented within the church. Second is his forceful support of papal supremacy, which led to a formal break with the Eastern Orthodox Church in 1054.
Leo X (Pope from 1513-1521)
He spent all the money he could gather to build Rome into a great city, but his failure to take Martin Luther seriously led to the Protestant Reformation.
Four issues dominated the reign of Leo X: the unsuccessful efforts of the fifth Lateran Council to reform the church, his building programmes for Rome, political ambitions to dominate Italy, and the Lutheran Reformation.
Leo XI (Pope in 1605)
The shortest reign of any Leo - just 26 days. Known as the 'Lightning Pope,' Leo XI died of fever, likely worsened by exposure during his official coronation events.
Aged nearly 70 at election, he honoured his uncle Leo X with his papal name but never had the chance to leave a legacy
Leo XII (Pope from 1823-1829)
A deeply conservative pope, Leo XII ruled during turbulent times. Frail in health but strong in will, he enforced harsh laws—including restrictions on Jews owning property and raised taxes that failed to rescue the Papal States' struggling finances.
His reign was defined more by tradition than transformation.
Leo XIII (Pope from 1878-1903)
Leo XIII reigned for a quarter of a century. At 67, he took over a Church facing modern challenges: science, socialism, and the rise of democracy.
The time was one of great scientific and technological advancement, as well as social, political, and economic upheaval. Western society was becoming more democratic. More people were getting the right to vote.
Instead of resisting change, Leo sought dialogue, laying the groundwork for the Church's future engagement with the modern world.