Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born Pope

[Bruce]

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/

[CtrlAltDel]

Da Pope!

[Henry]

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!

[1995hoo]

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!

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.

[Big John]

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!

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?

[Max Rockatansky]

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.

[1995hoo]

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.

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.

[Rothman]

Wow! An American Pope!

(*quietly fidgets about abuse in the Catholic Church*)

[Max Rockatansky]

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.

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.

[GaryV]

explain why these dudes change their name

Did you read the linked story?

[Max Rockatansky]

explain 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.

[1995hoo]

explain 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.

[Bruce]

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.

[wxfree]

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.

[Scott5114]

Anyone care to explain why these dudes change their name when they become Pope?

Would anyone really take Pope Bob seriously?

[Max Rockatansky]

Anyone 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?

[ClassicHasClass]

Not likely to have a great deal of overlap between those two segments, mind you.

[Max Rockatansky]

Not 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. 

[Rothman]

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."

[Max Rockatansky]

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."

[Henry]

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!

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.

[Rothman]

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."

Heh.  Always interesting when people get mad at fiction in such a manner.

[Bruce]

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.

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

[kkt]

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.

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.

[NWI_Irish96]

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.

In modern times, monarchs have mostly been giving heirs royal first names, so the changing of names has become less common.