The new head of the Catholic Church is now called Pope Leo XIV – Leo, the fourteenth. The new name of Robert Francis Prevost is more than a matter of form and goes back to important predecessors.
Leo I was born with the nickname of the Great in 440 in Tuscany and died on November 10, 461 in Rome. Leo I. said for the first time when Pope and Bishop of Rome were representative of the Apostle Peter. For himself, he claimed to practice overall responsibility and power of attorney as the first of the apostles in the entire church.
Since then there have been twelve other popes called Leo. Almost everyone came from today’s Italy. Leo III. presented himself under the protection of Charlemagne and fled in 799 for opponents in Rome in Paderborn. In 800 he crowned Karl Zum -Keizer. Leo Ix., Who reorganized the papal administration, came from Alsace. The last name winner served from 1878 to 1903 and was considered a reconciler. For example, conflicts with Switzerland and many Latin -American countries were resolved under his pontificate.
Court name in the background
But why do the popes actually get a new name under which they become known worldwide while their bourgeois names gradually take a back seat? Practice goes back to the New Testament: Jesus gave the apostle Simon the name Peter, as it says in the gospel of Matthew. The new pope must decide in the conclave immediately after the vote of the cardinals. This should mark a kind of second birth in the office.
Johannes leads the ranking
The selected name is often considered an indication of the orientation of the pontificate, for example on theological models, in particular important values or ecclesiastical accents. Names of saints or apostles are popular. Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose Francis in 2013 – based on Franz von Assisi, whom he described as “Man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves creation and protects,” described. Until then there has never been this name, so you didn’t have to go to Francis I.
Johannes is the most chosen, followed by Benedikt and Gregor.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
