Latest news with #Italian-sounding
The Star
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Bracing for a cheese clash
Leonardi at Igor's production facility in Cameri, Italy, outside of Milan. — Matteo de Mayda/The New York Times ITALIAN food producers have long fretted over competition from American brands that are made to look, and sound, as if they are from Italy. Some carry Italian flags and Tuscan-looking landscapes on their labels; others have (sometimes made-up) Italian-sounding names.
Daily Record
10-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Why does the pope change his name as the Vatican welcomes Pope Leo XIV
Robert Prevost is the first ever American pope, having been elected by the world's cardinals this week. This week's conclave elected the first ever American pope. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has been elected as the 267th pope after Pope Francis died last month at the age of 88. The 69-year-old Chicago-born pontiff will go by Pope Leo XIV. Leo has spent much of his career as a missionary in South America and recently led a powerful Vatican office for bishop appointments around the world. He first started his career in the church as a missionary in Peru, before becoming an archbishop, having also acquired Peruvian citizenship in 2015. The late pope Francis had been watching him for years, appointing him to lead the Diocese of Chiclayo, Pere, in 2014. He served there until 2023, when Pope Francis brought him to Rome for his current position. Before becoming pope, he served as the prior general of the Order of St. Augustine, which is a religious community of mendicant friars founded in the 13th century and devoted to poverty, service, and evangelisation. But as Robert Prevost announced his papal name to be Pope Leo XIV, questions are being raised on why exactly the pope must change his name for the papacy. So why is it that the pope changes his name? Here's everything you need to know. Why does the pope change his name? While Pope Francis may have been the first of his name, usually the pontiff takes a name from a predecessor. This explains why the new Pope Leo is the fourteenth of his name, or why Francis' predecessor Benedict was Pope Benedict XVI. This tradition comes from the middle ages. St. Peter, the first pope and one of the 12 apostles of the bible, was renamed from his birth name of Simon by Jesus. However, this was before he became head of the church, according to CNN. Pope John II, who was head of the church from 533 to 535, reportedly started this name changing tradition when he dropped the name Mercurius, which he thought was too similar to the name of the pagan god Mercury. After the 10th century, it became common practice for the pope to take a new name, as popes from other European countries such as France and Germany adopted more Italian-sounding names to mimic their predecessors. Nowadays, the pope chooses a new name to reflect the values he will bring to the papacy. For example, Pope Francis chose his papal name to honour St. Francis of Assisi, with his love for peace and nature, as well as his care for the poor, which were the priorities for Francis' papacy. The new Pope has not yet specified why he has decided to be known as Pope Leo XIV, but he is the 14th pontiff to take the name. Pope Leo I, also known as St Leo the Great, was pontiff between 440 and 461 AD. He was the 45th pope in history and became known for his commitment to peace, reported the BBC. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Vancouver Sun
08-05-2025
- General
- Vancouver Sun
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. 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. The chosen name often honours a saint, a previous pope, or a particular legacy the new pontiff wishes to emulate. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. In modern times, as the College of Cardinals has become more international , there is increased potential for popes to choose names that reflect their own cultural backgrounds or honour saints and historical figures important in their home regions. 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. Pope Francis, from Argentina, chose a name never before used, making a break from European tradition and emphasizing humility and care for the marginalized, values resonant across cultures. Overall, while no formal rules require popes to choose names based on cultural background, their choices often reflect a desire to reflect their heritage, inclusivity or connect with the broader global Church. The connotations of a papal name can significantly shape the new pope's relationship with other religious leaders by pointing to his intended approach to interfaith dialogue, reform, tradition, or reconciliation. If a pope chooses a name associated with openness, peace, or past efforts at unity, it can foster goodwill and foreshadow a willingness to engage with leaders of other faiths. Conversely, names linked to periods of conflict or rigid doctrine, like 'Pius,' may be interpreted as a sign of traditionalism or caution , potentially making interreligious collaboration more challenging. Some papal names have been considered controversial due to their associations with problematic historical figures or events. The name 'John XXIII' was controversial because it had previously been used by a 15th-century antipope, leading to confusion and debate when Cardinal Angelo Roncalli chose it in 1958. No pope has ever chosen the name 'Peter II,' likely out of respect for Saint Peter, the first pope, and to avoid controversy or the appearance of rivalry with such a foundational figure. However, some antipopes have used the name 'Peter II,' which further adds to its contentious nature. Certain names, like Benedict, have been used by both legitimate popes and antipopes, sometimes creating confusion and controversy in papal history. Some papal names are avoided due to their association with notorious or scandalous popes , such as Alexander VI or Boniface VIII, whose papacies were marked by corruption or conflict. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
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.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Why do popes choose different names and what could the name of the new pope be?
Like the other ceremonies and traditions that accompany the advent of a new pope, his newly chosen name will be imbued with centuries of Catholic history and dissected for its many layers of meaning. Changing his name is one of the first actions the new pope takes as head of the Roman Catholic Church and can play a hugely symbolic role in setting the tone for his pontificate. It is a precedent that was set in the early Middle Ages and, while there is no doctrinal reason for a pope to choose a new name, it has become part of the election process. So, how did this tradition come about, what are the meanings behind different papal names, what name could the next pope choose and how will it be announced? St. Peter, the first pope and one of the 12 apostles, was renamed from his birth name of Simon by Jesus, but this was before he became head of the church. Another 500 years would pass before Pope John II, who was head of the church from 533 to 535, started the papal tradition when he shed the name Mercurius, which he thought was too like the name of the pagan god Mercury. The next pope to change his name was Peter Canepanova in the 10th century, who became John XIV to avoid being called Peter II (more on that below), said Liam Temple, assistant professor in the history of Catholicism at the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University. After the 10th century, taking a different name became common practice for popes once they had been elected, as popes from countries such as France and Germany adopted more Italian-sounding names to mimic their predecessors. And that then became the custom, with only a handful of popes keeping their baptismal names since, including Marcellus II and Adrian VI, who both served as head of the church in the 16th century. Each name is steeped in its own history and connotations, linked to the achievements or failings of the previous popes or saints who carried it. '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,' Temple told CNN. For example, Pope Francis chose his papal name to honor St. Francis of Assisi, with his love for peace and nature, as well as his care for the poor and focus on cooperation between different sects of the church. These associations established the priorities for Francis' papacy. His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, chose his papal name to show his commitment to peace and reconciliation by honoring St. Benedict and Pope Benedict XV, who was head of the church during World War I, Temple said. One name that the new pope definitely won't adopt is Peter, out of respect for the first pope, St. Peter the Apostle – but also perhaps because of a centuries-old prophecy that Peter II will be the last pope to serve. There are other names that aren't necessarily off-limits but are less likely to be chosen because of their associations with the most recent pope who bore them, said Temple. He identifies the name Urban as an unlikely candidate for the new pope because it would 'harken back to Urban VIII, who started the trial of Galileo Galilei, and would not sit well in modern debates about science, faith and religion.' In a similar vein, the name Pius would evoke memories of Pius XII, whose role during World War II has been increasingly criticized, Temple added. If the new pope wishes to continue on a reforming path, Temple said that names like Leo, referencing Leo XIII who was known for his dedication to social justice, fair wages and safe working conditions, or Innocent, referencing Innocent XIII who sought to root out corruption, might be appropriate choices. A new pope who is elected from the Global South, like Pope Francis, may also choose a name adopted by early non-Italian pontiffs such as Gelasius, Miltiades or Victor, who all hailed from the African continent, Temple added. Over the centuries, there have been 44 papal names used only once – most recently Pope Francis' own. His decision to choose a unique name had 'massive historical ramifications,' Temple said, for 'it had been around 1,100 years since the last uniquely named pope in the form of Pope Lando, whose pontificate lasted less than a year in the 10th century.' John is the most popular name, with 21 popes choosing to adopt it – although, somewhat confusingly, the last pope to take that name was John XXIII, after historians accidentally misnumbered the popes after John XIV. Gregory and Benedict are also popular pontifical names with 16 and 15 uses, respectively, while Innocent and Leo come close behind with 13 uses each. (Benedict X was declared an antipope, and expelled from the papal throne, hence the discrepancy in numbering for subsequent Benedicts.) After white smoke has risen from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the bells of St. Peter's have rung, the newly elected pope's name will be conveyed to the world in a Latin pronouncement. The senior cardinal deacon will step onto the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, accompanied by two priests, and will deliver the iconic announcement: 'Habemus Papam' ('We have a pope'). The new pope's name, as well as his baptismal names, will be translated into Latin in the announcement but his former surname will remain in his native language. For example, when Pope Francis was elected in 2013, his given names of 'Jorge Mario' were delivered as 'Giorgio Marium,' but his surname 'Bergoglio' remained the same. His papal name was announced as 'Franciscum' and was the last word of the proclamation, as is customary.
