Latest news with #Papacy
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Popes Can Choose Any Name They Want. Here's Why Peter Is Always Skipped
When Robert Francis Prevost stepped out on the balcony as Pope Leo XIV, he reintroduced himself to the world. But how did he choose his regnal name? 'There are very few rules for the man at the top, so they're allowed to choose what they want,' Joshua McManaway, who teaches about the history of the Papacy, told The Pillar. However, no pope choses the name 'Peter,' out of respect for Saint Peter the Apostle, the first pope. '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. That may be a bridge too far!' McManaway added. 'It is an unwritten rule; it would be fair game. But I think anyone would cause great scandal if they chose Peter II.' However, he clarifies, 'Paul is safe. You're allowed to chose Paul.' For five centuries, popes didn't change their name upon being elected pope; instead, they kept their birth name. Starting in 533, however, a priest named Mercurius decided to change his name to Pope John II, likely not wanting a name associated with a Roman god. That said, popes choosing a regnal name didn't become tradition until the 11th century, and Pope Marcellus II in 1555 officially became the last pope to keep his birth name. Papal regnal names often have historical significance. '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,' Liam Temple, assistant professor in the history of Catholicism at the Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University, told CNN. Pope Francis, for example, chose to honor Saint Francis of Assisi. Pope Benedict XVI, meanwhile, chose his name in honor of Saint Benedict and Pope Benedict XV. Throughout history, there have been a few common pope names: John (21 popes), Gregory (16), Benedict (15), Clement (14), and Innocent (13). Leo is also a popular choice, now having been selected by 14 pontiffs. In contrast, there have been 44 papal names used only once—including Francis, who was the first uniquely named pope in over 1,000 years. You Might Also Like Nicole Richie's Surprising Adoption Story The Story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Her Mother Queen Camilla's Life in Photos
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US bishop demands Trump apologise for AI pope picture
A bishop in the US has publicly demanded an apology from President Donald Trump for posting an AI-generated picture of himself as the next pope. A week after attending Pope Francis's funeral, Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself dressed in papal robes on social media. "This is deeply offensive to Catholics especially during this sacred time that we are still mourning the death of Pope Francis," US Bishop Thomas Paprocki from the US state of Illinois said in a post on social media platform X. Post 2/2:... This is deeply offensive to Catholics especially during this sacred time that we are still mourning the death of Pope Francis and praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the election of our new Pope. He owes an — Bishop Paprocki (@BishopPaprocki) May 3, 2025 "By publishing a picture of himself masquerading as the Pope, President Trump mocks God, the Catholic Church, and the Papacy." The Vatican has not yet issued an official comment on Trump's papal image, which Trump published on his profile on his Truth Social network on Saturday and which was also shared by the official White House account on X. It shows him wearing the white robe known as a cassock typically worn by the leader of the Catholic Church, as well as golden chain with a cross around his neck and an elaborately decorated mitre as a headpiece. Trump had earlier joked that he himself would be his "number one" for the next pope. Following the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church is preparing to elect a new leader. The conclave of eligible cardinals begins on Wednesday.
Perth Now
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
US bishop demands Trump apologise for AI pope picture
A bishop in the US has publicly demanded an apology from President Donald Trump for posting an AI-generated picture of himself as the next pope. A week after attending Pope Francis's funeral, Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself dressed in papal robes on social media. "This is deeply offensive to Catholics especially during this sacred time that we are still mourning the death of Pope Francis," US Bishop Thomas Paprocki from the US state of Illinois said in a post on social media platform X. "By publishing a picture of himself masquerading as the Pope, President Trump mocks God, the Catholic Church, and the Papacy." The Vatican has not yet issued an official comment on Trump's papal image, which Trump published on his profile on his Truth Social network on Saturday and which was also shared by the official White House account on X. It shows him wearing the white robe known as a cassock typically worn by the leader of the Catholic Church, as well as golden chain with a cross around his neck and an elaborately decorated mitre as a headpiece. Trump had earlier joked that he himself would be his "number one" for the next pope. Following the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church is preparing to elect a new leader. The conclave of eligible cardinals begins on Wednesday.
Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
This Word Means: Conclave
WHY NOW The conclave to elect Pope Francis's successor will begin on May 7, around 15 days after the Pope died and induced the Sede Vacante, or the vacancy. WHO IS THE POPE? The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the visible head of the Catholic Church, which regards Jesus Christ as its invisible head. He is also known as the supreme pontiff, and his office is called the Papacy. The papacy oversees the Holy See, the central governing body of the Church and Vatican City, which enjoys formal diplomatic relations with other nations. AND WHAT IS THE CONCLAVE? It is the secret electoral process to determine the next pope. According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, over 180 cardinals arrived in Rome and took part in the first of the daily congregational meetings on Monday morning, of which 100 were cardinal electors. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE? Only cardinals aged under 80 years are eligible to vote, making 135 such cardinals eligible. At least one cardinal has confirmed he will not be attending the conclave. WHAT HAPPENS DURING A CONCLAVE? On May 7, the cardinal electors from all over the world will participate in the Mass Pro Eligendo Papa, a solemn Eucharistic ceremony where they will take the oath of secrecy. The Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, who presides over this ceremony, will proclaim 'extra, omnes' ('Those who are extra, leave'). After this, eligible cardinals will be sequestered in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican to participate in the papal conclave. They will be disconnected from all outside information to ensure the process is free from any influence, in a process comparable to jury duty in the US. The cardinals will vote in several rounds to elect the new pope until a single candidate enjoys a two-thirds majority. For each round that does not yield a pope, the cardinals will release black smoke from the chapel; upon the election of a new pope, white smoke will be emitted. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A NEW POPE IS ELECTED? Once a candidate with a two-thirds majority is elected, the Dean, currently Cardinal Giovanni Batista Re, will ask him if he accepts the outcome, and to choose a name. Popes have traditionally chosen names that honour a saint or a predecessor. The Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations functions as a notary in the presence of two Ceremonial Officers to draft the acceptance document and record the chosen name. This official record is the starting point for the newly elected Pope to assert his supreme authority over the Church. All the Cardinal electors pay homage and pledge their obedience to the new pope, giving thanks to God. A representative from the College of Cardinals will stand on the main balcony of St Peter's Basilica and announce 'Habemus papam' (Latin for 'We have a pope') to the gathered crowd of faithful. The new pope, dressed in a white cassock, will then deliver his first address to the public from the balcony.
Irish Examiner
25-04-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Letters to the Editor: Pope Francis took on the challenge we all face — striving to be better
Pope Francis did his duties to the end. He gave his final Easter Sunday blessing from the balcony in St Peter's Square and was driven around the packed square, greeting many thousands of pilgrims. It was touching to see his kind assistant who sat behind him, sometimes massage pressure points on the back of his neck, to relieve tension and possible pain. It was symbolic as he returned to the courtyard to see his assistant remove the papal cap from his head — like a weight removed from his shoulders. I did not really warm to this Pope, but I was moved to learn he did a video call on his phone daily to the priest of the only Catholic church in Gaza since the current invasion of Gaza began. He enquired on how the Christian and Muslim people in that location were coping. A veteran astrologer who looked at Pope Francis' chart for the day he died, said that his chart was 'stunning' in that it showed to him the Pope's mission was complete and he was now called home. He said he was not a fan of the Catholic Church, but he felt Pope Francis was a decent guy. He hoped he would rest in peace and believed he had a good death, the same as Queen Elizabeth II, who also did her duties to the end. Pope Francis didn't abdicate, even though he was frail in health, because he may have felt it could harm the tradition of the papacy when most popes die in office. He decided not to be buried with other popes in St Peter's Basilica but in the ground of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore where some six popes are buried. He had simplified the rites for papal funerals. He was the first pope to choose not to live in the papal apartments and to live in the Vatican hotel for visiting cardinals, priests, and religious. He did not want to lose contact with people. He was the first Jesuit pope and the first pope from South America. He was a Pope of many firsts. He wasn't perfect, made mistakes, and strived to be better. It is the eternal challenge for us all of being a human being. Mary Sullivan, College Rd, Cork Conclave candidate As a Catholic (somewhat lapsed, but Catholic all the same) and male (last time I checked), I wish to make it known that I'm putting myself forward to be the next pope. I want to Make the Papacy Great Again. Bigger than Jesus. Brendan Corrigan, Colombia What's your view on this issue? You can tell us here Pope's opposition to abortion As the worldwide Catholic family mourns the death of its spiritual leader, Pope Francis, it is important to examine his legacy on current issues. He is rightly remembered for his 2015 landmark encyclical Laudato Si' which focused on care for the environment, justice for the marginalised, and activism to save the planet. Included in his criticism of our modern 'throwaway' society was his firm opposition to the practice of abortion. 'Since everything is interrelated,' he wrote in the encyclical, 'concern for the protection of nature is… incompatible with the justification of abortion.' He believed it is hypocritical to talk about concern for 'other vulnerable beings… if we fail to protect a human embryo, even when its presence is uncomfortable and creates difficulties'. As recently as May 2024, Pope Francis openly contended that governments and civil society have a fundamental duty to protect and promote the dignity of every human being, 'offering women, the bearers of life, the necessary conditions to be able to accept the gift of life and ensure a dignified existence for their children.' As we mourn his passing and recall this pontiff's great compassion, humility, and concern for the Earth and its people, it is appropriate to reflect on his unwavering respect for the dignity of every human life, born or unborn. Sinéad Boland, Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow Francis was one of the great popes With the death of Pope Francis, we think back on his visit to Ireland in August 2018. Francis's visit was in marked contrast to that of Pope John Paul II 39 years earlier. The visit of the Polish pontiff had marked a high point for the Catholic Church in Ireland. By contrast with the confident and even triumphant image of John Paul's visit, Pope Francis came to a very different Ireland, and to an Irish Church which had been rocked to its foundations by the clerical child sex abuse scandals. The crowds that gathered to greet him were way down on those that had greeted the Polish pope. The face of the Church presented by Francis was a much chastened and penitent one. On his visit to the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin's inner city, Francis met homeless people and said he saw in them the face of Jesus. Throughout his pontificate, Francis remained a champion of the poor and downtrodden. As Pope, he had to carry the heavy burden of sins committed by others in the Church he inherited. In recent months, he had to bear the cross of his own serious illness. In my opinion, he has carried all these burdens with great dignity and grace. It was entirely fitting that this humble man lived to survive the privations of his own Lenten passion to give his blessing to the faithful on Easter Sunday. In my opinion, history will recognise Francis as one of the truly great popes who have sat in the chair of Peter over the past two millennia. John Glennon, Hollywood, Co Wicklow What's your view on this issue? You can tell us here Cities are built on social cohesion From Scandinavia to Greece, you find solid examples of cultures developed around social imperatives and cohesion. Why do we struggle with the idea that, while culture is an expression today of what came in the past, it is also a ward of the future? That means plans that build cohesion, identity, and pride. Oslo's new opera house is a wonderful example of an altruistic act benefitting the people and their past by building for the future. Yes, it was a tax write-down, but so what? I have a fondness for the vaulted Lutheran churches of Northern Germany. Grand red-brick statement buildings redolent of the theological imperative of their time. In contrast, Dublin, the capital of a country that wore its religiosity as a badge of both State piety and individual identity has no Roman Catholic cathedral. Cue the 'ah, but...'. Of course, Dublin also does not have an opera house. And, when it comes to our grand national theatre building... In a world where we are shutting down post offices and bank branches, we have two of the grandest buildings in Europe acting as the very thing our betters no longer seem to value. There is a cohesiveness missing. It reminds me of the misplaced argument rolled out ad nauseum whenever there is a spate of urban antisocial behaviour. The call is always for more gardaí on the streets. It is rarely interrogated. Within a European context, our cities have become depopulated of families invested in the ideas of community, childhood, neighbourhood, connection, participation, generation. The blight of antisocial behaviour is hard to sustain in neighbourhoods bustling with life rather than our unfulfilled alternative of endless battalions of gardaí patrolling empty streets. Granted there are hopes of a metro to Dublin Airport at a potential cost of €23bn. Interestingly, Germany and Denmark are investing in their future with a tunnel under the Baltic sea. Cost? €10bn. We deserve better, but we don't demand more. Until we do, or until public voices invigorate debate, we will remain in this status quo. Ciaran Byrnes, Ballybrown, Limerick Connacht GAA should take a bow Last Sunday, I attended the Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship match between Roscommon and Galway. I feel compelled to express my appreciation for what was a thoroughly enjoyable day. From the outset, the atmosphere was welcoming. The stewards were friendly and helpful, proudly displaying Connacht GAA on their bibs, a small but striking symbol of pride and professionalism. The entire event was organised with a sense of warmth and efficiency that reflected very well on both the host county and the provincial body. What stood out most, however, was the quality of the public address system. All too often at GAA grounds, announcements are muffled or inaudible. Not so on this occasion. The announcer was clear and confident, switching effortlessly between Irish and English. His tone and delivery added greatly to the occasion, and his use of our national language was particularly heartening to hear — natural, respectful, and skilful. If I had one minor complaint, it would be that the hooter was perhaps a little too loud, but even that felt part of the drama of championship football. All told, it was a pleasure to be in Galway. With the quality both sides showed, I have no doubt we'll be seeing more of Galway and Roscommon as the championship season progresses. Seán Loftus, Dublin 9
