Cardinal Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago and holds both American and Peruvian citizenship, has been elected the 267th Bishop of Rome.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-pope-robert-prevost-pope-leo-xiv/
Da Pope!
So not only we have an American-born pope for the first time, but he's from the same city as I am? I certainly did not have that on my Bingo card! In any case, welcome Pope Leo XIV!
Quote from: Henry on May 08, 2025, 03:05:07 PMSo not only we have an American-born pope for the first time, but he's from the same city as I am? I certainly did not have that on my Bingo card! In any case, welcome Pope Leo XIV!
Given your autosignature, I'm surprised you didn't mention his baseball allegiance, which has been pretty widely reported. It would be kind of cool (though probably very unlikely) if he were to throw out the ceremonial first pitch sometime.
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 08, 2025, 04:22:32 PMQuote from: Henry on May 08, 2025, 03:05:07 PMSo not only we have an American-born pope for the first time, but he's from the same city as I am? I certainly did not have that on my Bingo card! In any case, welcome Pope Leo XIV!
Given your autosignature, I'm surprised you didn't mention his baseball allegiance, which has been pretty widely reported. It would be kind of cool (though probably very unlikely) if he were to throw out the ceremonial first pitch sometime.
Cardinals?
Anyone care to explain why these dudes change their name when they become Pope? I don't know the backstory on why that is done.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 08, 2025, 04:25:31 PMAnyone care to explain why these dudes change their name when they become Pope? I don't know the backstory on why that is done.
It dates back to Pope John II, who became pope in 533. His given name was Mercurius and he deemed it inappropriate for a pope to have the same name as a Roman pagan god. Over the ensuing centuries it became customary to take a "papal name." The last pope, to date, not to do so was Marcellus II in 1555.
Wow! An American Pope!
(*quietly fidgets about abuse in the Catholic Church*)
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 08, 2025, 04:29:33 PMQuote from: Max Rockatansky on May 08, 2025, 04:25:31 PMAnyone care to explain why these dudes change their name when they become Pope? I don't know the backstory on why that is done.
It dates back to Pope John II, who became pope in 533. His given name was Mercurius and he deemed it inappropriate for a pope to have the same name as a Roman pagan god. Over the ensuing centuries it became customary to take a "papal name." The last pope, to date, not to do so was Marcellus II in 1555.
Thanks, never stumbled upon an explanation when curiosity last struck me.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 08, 2025, 04:25:31 PMexplain why these dudes change their name
Did you read the linked story?
Quote from: GaryV on May 08, 2025, 04:31:24 PMQuote from: Max Rockatansky on May 08, 2025, 04:25:31 PMexplain why these dudes change their name
Did you read the linked story?
Of course not. The answer may be within said article (sounds like it is) but I figured one of you would get right to meat of what I was asking. My Catholic wife didn't know when I asked her about an hour ago.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 08, 2025, 04:37:26 PMQuote from: GaryV on May 08, 2025, 04:31:24 PMQuote from: Max Rockatansky on May 08, 2025, 04:25:31 PMexplain why these dudes change their name
Did you read the linked story?
Of course not. The answer may be within said article (sounds like it is) but I figured one of you would get right to meat of what I was asking. My Catholic wife didn't know when I asked her about an hour ago.
And you were right. For whatever it's worth, I minored in religious studies as an undergrad.
The choice of papal name can also signal immediately where the new pontiff's priorities are.
The choice of Leo may be in reference to Leo XIII, who supported worker's rights and social progress during the Gilded Age.
Francis notably did not take an existing name and instead chose to honor St. Francis of Assisi.
John Paul I chose to honor both of his predecessors with his double name, while John Paul II chose to honor his immediate predecessor.
I seem to remember when Chuck became king it was mention that he could have changed his name but chose not to. I didn't know about that. The last time they had a new monarch was a hundred years ago, so the issue never came up.
According to a quick read, his grandfather George was born Albert but chose a regnal name at his coronation. That's also what they call a pope's chosen name.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 08, 2025, 04:25:31 PMAnyone care to explain why these dudes change their name when they become Pope?
Would anyone really take Pope Bob seriously?
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 08, 2025, 08:59:57 PMQuote from: Max Rockatansky on May 08, 2025, 04:25:31 PMAnyone care to explain why these dudes change their name when they become Pope?
Would anyone really take Pope Bob seriously?
A certain sect of the population takes a superhero (Sentry) by that name seriously. If one fandom/following can do it why not another?
Not likely to have a great deal of overlap between those two segments, mind you.
Quote from: ClassicHasClass on May 08, 2025, 09:14:13 PMNot likely to have a great deal of overlap between those two segments, mind you.
While true, both are something I don't fully understand. Although I will note that comics often incorporate religious figures, but rarely anything from Judeo-Christian catalog.
FWIW, I'm asking some of the questions I've brought up in threads such as this because my wife is Catholic. I don't have a good understanding of what is even going on whenever she asks me to go to some church related event with her. I don't have any desire to become religious myself but would at least have a better understanding about something she follows.
Always interesting to me when one isn't able to explain their own religion -- at least to some extent. The famous split-screen scene in Annie Hall comes to mind.
Then again, perhaps it all boils down to "God told us to."
That more or less is how my Grandpa was. He was a very religious man but he couldn't articulate why he was even if his life depended on it. Most times I would ask for an explanation about the things he said when I was a kid were usually met with "because I said so" or "the Bible said so."
Of course as I got older the sincere questions devolved into trolling. My favorite troll was when I tricked him into watching Planet of the Apes on the basis that Moses (Charlton Heston) was in it. He was all into the plot until the twist reveal that it was Earth all along. He immediately got up out of his chair and stormed off to his room while shouting "god would never let that happen."
Quote from: Big John on May 08, 2025, 04:25:18 PMQuote from: 1995hoo on May 08, 2025, 04:22:32 PMQuote from: Henry on May 08, 2025, 03:05:07 PMSo not only we have an American-born pope for the first time, but he's from the same city as I am? I certainly did not have that on my Bingo card! In any case, welcome Pope Leo XIV!
Given your autosignature, I'm surprised you didn't mention his baseball allegiance, which has been pretty widely reported. It would be kind of cool (though probably very unlikely) if he were to throw out the ceremonial first pitch sometime.
Cardinals?
If they're playing at Wrigley, then that would be the most appropriate time. And I can't believe I missed out on bringing up his Cubs fandom, so I'm glad that the new pope happens to be part of the most loyal fanbase in all of sports, especially when we got to witness the happiest ending of 2016.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 08, 2025, 10:09:30 PMThat more or less is how my Grandpa was. He was a very religious man but he couldn't articulate why he was even if his life depended on it. Most times I would ask for an explanation about the things he said when I was a kid were usually met with "because I said so" or "the Bible said so."
Of course as I got older the sincere questions devolved into trolling. My favorite troll was when I tricked him into watching Planet of the Apes on the basis that Moses (Charlton Heston) was in it. He was all into the plot until the twist reveal that it was Earth all along. He immediately got up out of his chair and stormed off to his room while shouting "god would never let that happen."
Heh. Always interesting when people get mad at fiction in such a manner.
Quote from: Henry on May 08, 2025, 10:15:02 PMIf they're playing at Wrigley, then that would be the most appropriate time. And I can't believe I missed out on bringing up his Cubs fandom, so I'm glad that the new pope happens to be part of the most loyal fanbase in all of sports, especially when we got to witness the happiest ending of 2016.
The Pope's brother says he's a White Sox fan and that their household is mixed. The Cubs are claiming him though.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45058434/chicago-cubs-white-sox-celebrate-pope-leo-xiv-sports-fandom
There's also a photo of him at the 2005 World Series: https://chicago.suntimes.com/religion/2025/05/08/pope-leo-xiv-robert-prevost-st-rita-high-school-chicago
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 08, 2025, 04:25:31 PMAnyone care to explain why these dudes change their name when they become Pope? I don't know the backstory on why that is done.
If it helps, kings do that a lot of the time too. When David became king, he became Edward VIII. When Albert (or Bertie to family and close friends) became king, he became George VI. It's an opportunity to honor a particular ancestor and emphasize a dynastic connection.
King David would probably have made people think of the Old Testament rather than a modern English king.
For George VI it was emphasizing that he would be a conventional king following his father George V rather than an individualist like Edward VIII who broke tradition by abdicating.
This pope seems to be emphasizing his aspiration to be like Leo.
Quote from: wxfree on May 08, 2025, 07:39:09 PMI seem to remember when Chuck became king it was mention that he could have changed his name but chose not to. I didn't know about that. The last time they had a new monarch was a hundred years ago, so the issue never came up.
According to a quick read, his grandfather George was born Albert but chose a regnal name at his coronation. That's also what they call a pope's chosen name.
In modern times, monarchs have mostly been giving heirs royal first names, so the changing of names has become less common.
Based on everything I've read, I would not have been surprised if Charles had chosen a different regnal name had he become king earlier in his lifetime. Apparently he gave very serious thought to reigning as George VII, both to honor his grandfather and because the name "Charles" doesn't have the greatest history among British monarchs. But I wouldn't be surprised at all to hear that he chose not to do so in part because he became king so late in life and he was so well-known under his given name. Most popes are not nearly as well-known on a global scale upon their election as Charles was; the obvious exception in recent times was Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), and given his adherence to tradition I figure there was no chance he would not take a papal name. (The election of Paul VI was before I was born. I understand he was more or less considered a shoo-in for election because he had been one of the favorites during the previous conclave when he was not yet a cardinal, but I have no idea how well-known he was globally. I tend to doubt he was as well-known as Charles, though.)
To some extent, the idea of foregoing a regnal name late in life because everyone knows your existing name strikes me as similar to how some women I know have said they would have changed their names upon getting married except that they were already established professionally under their maiden names. I've known some women who use their married names privately and their maiden names professionally for that particular reason, too. (Many years ago, when I was in first grade I was advanced academically and I spent half the day in the second-grade classroom. Then the following year the second-grade teacher was my regular teacher, although I spent half the day in the third-grade classroom. The second-grade teacher got married between my first- and second-grade years. She took her husband's name and it was certainly weird calling her by a different name for the first couple of weeks.)
On the other hand, of course, Charles's mother, who became monarch at a far younger age, answered the question about what name she wanted to use by saying, "My own, of course."
Pope Leo XIV's sister-in-law is from Chesterfield, VA and went to VCU. It's kind of funny, though, because she posts lots of political conspiracy theories on her Facebook page and less than a year before becoming pope, he was replying with links to Snopes and other fact-checking sites debunking them. That's so relatable.
I see Pope Leo has two brothers. I have not read anything about whether either of those brothers has any children. I was interested because my brother would very much like to know whether we now have "Pope Uncle Leo."
(https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Seinfeld-Uncle-Leo-Edible-Foliage-Tour-Cropped-1.jpg)
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 09, 2025, 08:33:08 AMOn the other hand, of course, Charles's mother, who became monarch at a far younger age, answered the question about what name she wanted to use by saying, "My own, of course."
Yes, there is no queen's name with better associations in England than Elizabeth. Elizabeth I, of course, also Elizabeth of York who married the heir of the Lancaster clan to settle the Wars of the Roses.
Assuming a new 'regnal' name also signifies the ending of their previous life and the start of a completely new life.
Didn't Leo grow up on the White Sox side of town?
Mike
Quote from: mgk920 on May 09, 2025, 01:31:34 PMAssuming a new 'regnal' name also signifies the ending of their previous life and the start of a completely new life.
Didn't Leo grow up on the White Sox side of town?
Mike
Yes, and he's a White Sox fan. The Chicago Sun-Times posted a picture of him at the 2005 World Series on Twitter last night.
Bread and wine about to be replaced with deep dish pizza and malort.
Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on May 09, 2025, 02:35:02 PMBread and wine about to be replaced with deep dish pizza and malort.
Well, they had beer and polkas at mass a couple of decades ago.
Mike
Quote from: wxfree on May 08, 2025, 07:39:09 PMAccording to a quick read, his grandfather George was born Albert but chose a regnal name at his coronation.
Edward VII and George VI chose their regnal names at accession to the throne, not their later coronations.
Both were Albert (and remained being called 'Bertie' by family and friends after becoming king) but Edward VII decided that his dad wouldn't be outdone by there being a King Albert and followed his mother in using his middle name. His grandson followed the precedent that there wouldn't be a King Albert and used his last middle name, .
Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on May 09, 2025, 07:52:26 AMIn modern times, monarchs have mostly been giving heirs royal first names, so the changing of names has become less common.
Victoria was the first British monarch not to use her first name in 1837 - because she hated it and as a way to stamp her new freedom from her overbearing mother dropped it. It's a modern thing to drop the first name and go by another name, rather than vice versa.
Since then, two of six monarchs used middle names, and there was a lot of speculation about whether a third would (I even found one, US, article from just after he'd become king, wondering why the British media was unanimously calling him King Charles III despite the fact he was supposedly going to become George VII - IIRC, he'd leaked it that he was sticking with his given name in 2019ish (presumably when his mum was diagnosed with cancer), but certainly a minute after the announcement of QE2's death, his office dropped a press release that called him Charles III).
You can argue Edward 'David' was given the name Edward as a future regnal name, and called David as a familiar name. But he's the exception (and an inversion of granddad and bro Berties who were known by their first names and picked a middle name to rule with - being known by a middle name and picking his first name to rule by).
Should also point out that, of the six, the two Georges were younger brothers and didn't expect the throne (one born as George, one not), the two Neds were born as direct heirs to the throne (one born as Edward, one not), Chaz was born to be king, but Elizabeth was (while 3rd in line at birth) not meant to rule.
Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on May 09, 2025, 02:35:02 PMBread and wine about to be replaced with deep dish pizza and malort.
What would Cardinal Pizzaballa make of that?
I notice the Sox host St. Louis from June 17–19. Pope v. Cardinals!
Da Pope, true south sider as well!
May his blessings bring me out of baseball purgatory
So I am reading that two different kings put Prince Albert in a can?