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Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What the name Leo likely says about the pope's mission for his papacy and the Catholic Church
When the new pope took the name Leo XIV, it offered the first clue about his vision for his papacy. First, it seems to indicate someone who wants to carry on the legacy his predecessor, Pope Francis. Second, and more broadly, the name connotes someone who is strong, particularly in a time of crisis. When Pope Francis selected his name, it was to honor Saint Francis of Assisi, 'the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation,' he told journalists in 2013. Here's a first look at the new pope's name. The last Pope to select Leo was Pope Leo XIII, who held papacy from 1878 to 1903 and had 'liberalistic and conciliatory' views, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia. Born in 1810 in Italy with the name Gioacchino Pecci, his papacy has been remembered for his push to modernize the Catholic Church and further workers' rights. In 1891, he authored the encyclical 'Rerum novarum,' where he argued for safer working conditions, fair wages, the formation of trade unions, while also defending the right to hold private property. 'Some opportune remedy must be found quickly for the misery and wretchedness pressing so unjustly on the majority of the working class,' Leo XIII wrote. He had the fourth-longest reign of any pope. Although not all adhered to the practice, many popes in early centuries selected a new name because their name was of pagan origin. Out of the 267 popes in history, 129 — less than half — have picked a new name, according to Vatican News. Popes can pick the name of a predecessor or saint 'out of respect, administration or recognition,' Vatican News said. The most common name has been John, first picked in 523. Other commonly used names include Gregory, Benedict and Pius. Picking Leo would tend to indicate a continuation of the overall approach of his predecessor, who was known for his concern for the marginalized. In his address May 8, the new pope referenced Francis several times. He also referenced being a synodal church, which means a church that focuses on listening, learning from each other, inviting participation. Rather than getting bogged down in politics, it is a church that emphasizes communion, participation and mission. "To all of you, brothers and sisters of Rome, of Italy, of the whole world, we want to be a synodal Church, a Church that walks together, a Church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always tries to be close especially to those who suffer," the pope said. The church under Pope Francis recently completed a Synod on Synodality, so Leo's use of the word likely indicates his desire to continue that work. The name Leo means 'lion' in Latin, signaling bravery and strength. In the Catholic legacy, it also calls back to the first Pope Leo, or 'Leo the Great,' according to the Catholic Encyclopedia. In 452 AD, Leo met personally with Atilla the Hun and persuaded him against invading and destroying the Roman Empire. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Pope Leo XIV: why do popes change their names?
USA Today
29-04-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
How long does it take a papal conclave to elect a pope? It depends on the century
How long does it take a papal conclave to elect a pope? It depends on the century The papal conclave, a gathering of 130 Roman Catholic cardinals who will elect the successor to Pope Francis, begins on May 7. No matter whom they choose, his place in church history is already assured. Over the centuries, papal conclaves, like popes themselves, have been a mix of religion, politics and power. The choice will signal how the Catholic Church, with its 1.4 billion adherents, will conduct itself in the coming years. It could continue the progressive legacy of Francis, who died April 21 at age 88, or return to a more traditional role. As in the past, the cardinals will be sequestered in the Sistine Chapel to debate and vote in secret. Since 1846, cardinals have have taken two to five days to make decisions on the past 12 popes. But it hasn't always been that quick. How long have papal conclaves lasted? You can't read about papal conclaves without learning of the longest one, the 33-month conclave of 1268-1271. After Pope Clement IV died in November 1268, cardinals met in Viterbo, Italy, about 68 miles from Rome, to vote on a successor. The cardinals were divided by two powerful Italian families: The Guelphs , who supported the pope, the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. , who supported the pope, the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. The Ghibellines, who supported the holy Roman emperor, the secular leader of the Holy Roman Empire, a group of regions in Central Europe. As disagreements dragged on, frustrated citizens of Viterbo locked the cardinals in the Episcopal Palace and 'even removed the roof to expose them to the elements, hoping to expedite the decision-making process,' according to The Guelphs' side prevailed as the cardinals finally elected Pope Gregory X on Sept. 1, 1271. Gregory's reforms helped reduce the length of future conclaves. Even so, two other conclaves that ended in 1316 and 1417 lasted two years or more. The shortest conclave lasted only a few hours on Oct. 31, 1503. Cardinals elected the powerful and popular cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, who took the name Pope Julius II. To get elected, Julius made a series of promises to his fellow cardinals and even used bribery for some of them, according to New Advent's Catholic Encyclopedia. He became known as "The Fearsome Pope" during his reign. SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Reuters;
NDTV
22-04-2025
- General
- NDTV
Benedict IX: The Youngest Pope In History And The Turmoil That Followed
The Catholic Church is in mourning following the death of Pope Francis. As is customary, with the death of a pope, the process of selecting a new leader for the Church is already underway. The election of a pope is always a momentous occasion in the history of the Catholic Church, but in the case of Pope Benedict IX, it was one of the most extraordinary. Elected as pope at a remarkably young age, Benedict IX became the youngest pope in history - a record that still stands today. Rise Of A Boy Pope Benedict IX, born Theophylactus of Tusculum, became pope at an unusually young age, possibly as young as 11, though most accounts suggest he was closer to 20. His exact age when elected in 1032 is still debated. The Catholic Encyclopedia, a reference from the early 20th century, suggests he was around 20. Philosopher Bertrand Russell, in 'A History of Western Philosophy', mentioned he might have been just 12. A contemporary monk, Rodulfus Glaber, also claimed Benedict IX was 12 when he became pope, a view supported by historian F Donald Logan in 'A History of the Church in the Middle Ages'. Tumultuous Reign Benedict IX's reign as pope was marked by scandal, violence and power struggles. He served three times as pope-first from 1032 to 1044, then briefly in 1045, and again from 1047 to 1048. He is perhaps most famous for selling the papacy before reclaiming it twice. His rule was filled with violence and debauchery, leading to an uprising in Rome. By early 1045, Benedict was forced to flee, and Bishop John of Sabina was elected pope in his place. Benedict's brothers orchestrated his return and expelled the new pope. In 1045, Benedict IX sold the papacy to his godfather, Giovanni Graziano, who took the name Pope Gregory VI. His papacy was short-lived. By 1046, three men - Benedict, Sylvester III, and Gregory VI - were all claiming to be pope. Emperor Henry III intervened by convening the Council of Sutri, which deposed all three claimants. Benedict was removed and Gregory was forced to resign. After the death of Pope Clement II in 1047, Benedict returned to Rome, trying once more to reclaim the papacy. In 1048, he was expelled by Boniface of Tuscany and never returned to Rome. The Catholic Encyclopedia, which typically offers a more sympathetic view, does not hold back in its criticism of Benedict IX, calling him "a disgrace to the Chair of Peter." Benedict IX spent his final years in seclusion, possibly at a monastery, and died around 1055 or 1056.
