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Buzz Feed
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
13 Weird Facts About Popes Throughout History
The new Pope Leo XIV was elected this week, but the title of Pope has been bestowed 267 times over thousands of years, starting with Saint Peter around 30 AD. With a timeline that long, it's no wonder that the Catholic Church and the papacy have a long and storied past. From political intrigue to botched embalmings to corpses on trial, here are 13 of the weirdest facts about popes through history: Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis were both honorary members of the Harlem Globetrotters. They honored the popes for their "extraordinary character and achievement" and "humanitarian efforts," respectively. Both popes even got jerseys. Pope Pius XII requested an "alternative" embalming method, which resulted in him "exploding" while lying in state due to a buildup of gas in his body. The pope passed in October of 1958 and had requested that none of his internal organs be removed as part of the embalming process. He was preserved with resin and oils, but the heat of the papal summer estate caused him to decompose quicker than expected. His body slowly exploded; his nose and fingers fell off, and he reportedly smelled so badly that the Swiss Guards had to be changed out every 15 minutes. Pope Leo X received an elephant from King Manuel I of Portugal in 1513. The elephant's name was Hanno, and the pope liked him so much that he personally wrote a letter to Manuel thanking him. After Hanno died, Pope Leo X commissioned the artist Raphael to create a mural of him, which was unfortunately later destroyed during renovations. Hanno is buried underneath the Vatican courtyard minus his tusks, which were removed and stored elsewhere. After Pope Formosus died in 891, his successor and political enemy, Pope Stephen VI, dug up his corpse and put it on trial. During the event known as the "Cadaver Synod," Formosus was found guilty of being a bishop in two places at once and had the three fingers on his right hand that he used for blessings chopped off. His body was then thrown into the Tiber Stephen VI was overthrown less than a year later by a Roman mob angry about his treatment of Pope Formosus, and Pope Stephen VI's successor, Pope Theodore II, ended up recovering Pope Formosus's body. Pope Theodore II was only pope for 20 days before passing away unexpectedly, and eventually, Pope Formosus was buried in St. Peter's Cathedral under Pope Theodore II's successor, Pope John IX. Pope Benedict XII was elected by accident, during the first round of voting in 1334. The conclave voted for longshot and "throwaway" candidate Cardinal Jacques Fournier while attempting to get an idea of how others were voting, but a majority was inadvertently reached. Once there's a majority, no re-votes can be held — so he officially became Pope Benedict XII. As Pope Innocent VIII lay on his deathbed in 1492, he drank breastmilk from a wet nurse as it was believed that was the only thing he could digest. According to a witness at the time, he also allegedly tried drinking the blood of three young boys, who all died (the pope died as well). Saint Hormisdas and Saint Silverius are the only known legitimate father and son who have both been popes. Hormisdas was married prior to becoming pope, and his marriage produced a son who was later elevated to the position. Hormisdas was pope from 514 until his death in 523 A.D., and Silverius held the title from 536-537 A.D. Silverius was banished by his rival Vigilius, who succeeded him. Pope John Paul II was the victim of an attempted assassination in 1981. He was shot in his hand and abdomen. Two bystanders were also shot. Everyone injured survived the attempt, as did the attacker, Mehmet Ali Ağca. Pope John Paul II forgave Ağca, and later visited him in prison. He also asked that Ağca be pardoned by the Italian government, which happened in 2000 (he was extradited to Turkey to complete a sentence there). The assassination attempt also encouraged the addition of bulletproof glass to the popemobile. Pope Clement VI held the title during the Black Death (the bubonic plague), and in 1349, he consecrated (made sacred) the Rhône River in France so that people's remains could be thrown into it and washed away. Cemeteries had become so full that people needed another way to dispose of infected bodies, and this allowed them to use the river instead of burying the dead. Pope Pius XI was a scholar and avid mountaineer, and even wrote a book on mountain climbing, published in 1923. Prior to his death shortly before the start of WWII, he also wrote protests against Hitler's Third Reich. Pope John Paul I was the last pope to use the sedia gestatoria in 1978, which is a portable throne carried by 12 footmen. (Pope Paul VI, his predecessor, is pictured here using the throne.) The sedia gestatoria was eventually replaced by the popemobile as the Church moved away from a monarchical-style model. The longest-reigning documented pope was Pope Pius IX at 31 years, seven months (1846-1878), and the shortest was Pope Urban VII at only 13 days (September 15, 1590- September 27, 1590). The oldest pope elected was Pope Leo XIII at 81 (1878), and the youngest was Pope Benedict IX, who was elected around age 18 (1032). Pope Pius IX died naturally at the age of 85; Urban VII died of malaria at age 69. Pope Leo XIII (pictured here) remained pope until his death at the age of 93; Pope Benedict IX was actually named pope three times before being expelled from Rome. And finally, Pope Benedict XVI had an organ donor card. After questions arose in 2011, the Catholic Church was forced to issue a statement that becoming pope meant he could no longer donate his organs. Vatican officials said that "after a pope dies, his body belongs to the entire Church and must be buried intact." They also indicated concern that the organs would become relics inside other bodies if he were ever made a saint. Now I have to know: which one of these facts was your favorite? Let us know in the comments.
Miami Herald
08-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Francis II? What Papal Name Might the Next Pope Pick?
As the latest conclave unfolds behind closed doors in the Vatican, speculation is rife—not just about who will emerge as the Catholic Church's new spiritual leader, but also what name he will choose. The practice of choosing a papal name is a centuries-old ritual – it sends an early, powerful signal about his priorities, vision, and the direction the Church may take. The practice of papal name selection dates back centuries and is rooted in tradition, symbolism, and spiritual significance. The custom became the standard in 955 with Pope John XII, according to Vatican News. Earlier popes—including Saint Peter, born Simon—had already used names other than their birth names, although not always ceremonially. Over time, popes began choosing names to express admiration for previous pontiffs, to signal continuity, or to herald a new direction for the Church. Of the 266 popes in history, 129 have chosen names different from their baptismal names. Historically, popes have often chosen names that reflect continuity with revered predecessors. According to the most common papal names have included: John: Chosen 23 times, this name has biblical and pastoral Used 16 times, often linked to Gregory I, who strengthened papal Chosen 15 times, most recently by Benedict XVI in and Innocent: Both have been used more than a dozen times (14 and 13 times respectively) indicating a long lineage of popes wanting to signal virtue or mercy. These names are often reused because they evoke particular theological or historical legacies that cardinals might wish to continue. On the opposite end, several names have only been used once or twice—either because they are associated with less impactful pontificates or because they carry controversial legacies. Examples include: Lando: A one-time name from the 10th Telesphorus, and Eleutherius: Early Christian names that have not been and Pelagius were only used and Formosus: Names tied to complicated or turbulent periods in Church history. These less common names often fall out of favor because they lack the broader symbolic resonance that modern popes tend to prefer when launching a new pontificate. "I think the choice of name is extremely important and will set the tone for the entire papacy," Karen Park, professor of theology and religious studies at St. Norbert College, told the National Catholic Register. Two cardinals currently regarded as top contenders to succeed Pope Francis are Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy and Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle of the Philippines. If Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, is elected, he may choose Paul VII, evoking Pope Paul VI, who championed diplomacy, international engagement, and the implementation of reforms proposed during the Second Vatican Council. The name would underscore a commitment to global dialogue and institutional continuity. Progressive contenders such as Tagle or Cardinal Matteo Zuppi might select Francis II, directly aligning themselves with Pope Francis's legacy of humility, social justice, and care for the marginalized. Alternatively, they may opt for John XXIV, nodding to the beloved reformer Pope John XXIII and signaling a pastoral, inclusive Church. More conservative candidates may look to Benedict XVII, referencing Pope Benedict XVI's focus on theological orthodoxy and traditional liturgy. Names like Leo XIV or Gregory XVII could also emerge, recalling popes associated with doctrinal authority and social teaching. "Linking to the names of previous popes who weathered crises, inspired reform, or were incredibly popular can often, although not always, play a role in the choosing of a name," according to Liam Temple, assistant professor in the history of Catholicism at the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University, who spoke to CNN. The name Pius, once a staple among papal choices, is unlikely to be chosen today; it is heavily associated with strong papal authority, traditionalism, and a more hierarchical Church. Pope Pius XII is a particularly contentious figure due to his perceived silence during the Holocaust. While defenders argue he worked behind the scenes to help Jews, critics say he failed to publicly condemn Nazi atrocities forcefully enough. There are some names which have never been chosen by a pope, including Andrew, James, Joseph, and Luke. One name is widely believed to be off the table: Peter II. Out of reverence for St. Peter, this name has never been used again and is traditionally considered too presumptuous—even though Ghana's Cardinal Peter Turkson is considered a contender. Choosing Peter would likely be seen as either provocative or apocalyptic, "perhaps because of a centuries-old prophecy that Peter II will be the last pope to serve," said Temple. Pope Francis chose his name out of reverence for St. Francis of Assisi, known for his dedication to the causes of poverty and charity. Speaking to journalists in 2013, in the days following his election as pontiff, Francis recalled how Cardinal Claudio Hummes had given him the idea of choosing the name. "When the votes reached two-thirds, there was the usual applause, because the pope had been elected. And he gave me a hug and a kiss and said: 'Don't forget the poor!' And those words came to me: the poor, the poor. Then, right away, thinking of the poor, I thought of Francis of Assisi. Then I thought of all the wars, as the votes were still being counted, till the end. Francis is also the man of peace. That is how the name came into my heart: Francis of Assisi. ... How I would like a Church which is poor and for the poor!" This marked the first time a pope had chosen the name Francis. The cardinal electors will continue voting as billions of people across the globe watch closely for white smoke from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel. Related Articles Top 5 Favorites To Replace Pope Francis After First Day of ConclaveWhite Smoke Meaning Explained: Understanding Papal Conclave's Chapel SignalsNew Pope Update: Black Smoke From Conclave After Cardinals' First VoteNew Pope Update: Favorite Emerges to Replace Francis as Conclave Starts 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Calgary Herald
08-05-2025
- General
- Calgary Herald
What's in a 'papal name' and what the new pope's choice could mean for the church
The significance of a papal name lies in its symbolic power and the message it sends about a new pope's intentions, priorities, and the direction he hopes to set for the Catholic Church. Article content Article content When a new pope is elected, one of his first acts is to choose a new name. It's a tradition dating back to the early Middle Ages. This name is not required by doctrine but has become a deeply rooted custom. Article content Article content Article content Pope Francis selected his name to honour St. Francis of Assisi, signalling a focus on humility, care for the poor, and environmental stewardship. Similarly, Pope John Paul I combined the names of his two immediate predecessors to signal continuity and commitment to their reforms. Article content Ultimately, the papal name serves as a public declaration of the new pope's vision and the values he intends to emphasize during his papacy. Article content It is closely watched as an early indicator of whether the new leader will continue the work of his predecessors or chart a new course for the Church. Article content Do popes ever choose names that have never been used? Article content Popes rarely choose a name that has never been used before. In fact, before Pope Francis in 2013, it had been over 1,000 years since a pope — Pope Lando in 914 — selected a completely new name. Article content Most popes opt for names with historical or spiritual significance. There are, however, several unique papal names from the early centuries that have never been repeated, such as Lando, Romanus, and Formosus. Article content Article content How might a pope's cultural background affect his choice? Article content Article content Different cultures have influenced the choice of papal names in several ways, especially as the Church became more global. In the early centuries, popes from outside Italy — especially from France and Germany — often adopted more traditional or Italian-sounding names to align themselves with their Roman predecessors and the local culture of the papacy. This practice helped foster unity and continuity within the Church. Article content A pope from Africa or Latin America might select a name associated with early non-Italian pontiffs or saints from those regions to highlight the Church's diversity and global reach.
