A papal name carries centuries of legacy and the next pope’s choice could echo peace, power, or even prophecy.
Newsroom (07/05/2025 10:50, Gaudium Press) From Pius to Clement, Hilarius to Simplicius, papal names through the centuries are inextricably linked to the brilliant or wretched legacies of the men who have ruled the Vatican.
The cardinal elected to succeed Pope Francis following the conclave, which begins on May 7, will be announced to the world with his papal name in Latin.
With so much weight placed on the significance of the papal moniker, the cardinals must choose wisely.
The tradition of choosing a new name dates back to the sixth century, when an ordinary priest — Mercurius — was elected but felt he could not keep his pagan name.
He swapped it for John, arguing that if Christ had renamed Simon, the first pope, as Peter, other popes could do the same.
The last pope to use their baptismal name was Marcellus II in 1555.
In 2013, Argentine Jorge Bergoglio became the first pope to take the name Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi, a 13th-century mystic who renounced his wealth and devoted his life to the poor. Bookmakers had been betting he would call himself Leo — which means lion.
While some names are associated with peace or theological brilliance, others have more controversial connotations.
There has not been a pope called Celestine since the name was taken in 1294 by a hermit, who was elected against his wishes and resigned from the post after five months.
He was immortalized by the Italian poet Dante, who placed him in Hell for his “great refusal.”
Francis’ predecessor Benedict XVI also stepped down, so if the new pope opts for Benedict XVII or Celestine VI it might spark speculation about an eventual resignation.
While popes in the first few centuries were called anything from Zachary to Adeodatus or Victor, from the 16th century onwards the same names have been circulating — Clement, Gregory, Pius, Paul, Benedict — and it is likely to be one of those, or a composite name.
In 1978, Cardinal Albino Luciani became the first pope to take a double name. Luciani, who became John Paul I, decided to honor his two immediate predecessors — John XXIII and Paul VI.
Those aspiring to emulate Francis’ charismatic leadership might call themselves John Paul III — or even just John, after “Good Pope John” XXIII, who called the Second Vatican Council and declared it his mission to open up the Church to the world.
While the name Pius might appear at first to have the right connotations, the last pope to go by it, Pius XII, was nicknamed “Hitler’s Pope” by his detractors because of what they said was his silence during the Holocaust in World War II.
Gregory and Alexander also have unfortunate associations: Gregory VII, elected in 1073, was accused of necromancy and using a bed of nails to torture those who crossed him.
Alexander VI, a member of the wealthy Borgia family, was renowned for throwing wild orgies inside the papal palace.
One of the most bizarre popes of all time was ninth-century Stephen VII, who despised his predecessor Formosus so much that he had his rotting body dug up, dressed in papal robes and put on trial for occupying the papacy illegally.
Formosus was found guilty, the fingers he used to give blessings were chopped off and his body tossed in the river Tiber — an ungracious end which makes it unlikely that anyone will choose the name Formosus II, regardless of whether or not the trial was fair.
It would be a brave man who named himself Peter II.
The name is considered off limits out of respect for the Church’s first pope and, according to a prophecy attributed to a 12th-century Saint Malachi, the next Peter’s pontificate will bring the destruction of Rome and kick off the Apocalypse.
So, what are the most popular papal names?
John is the most popular with 23 popes taking this name. The name Gregory has been used by 16 popes and the name Benedict has also been used by 16 popes. Clement was the name of 14 popes; Innocent was the name of 13 popes; and Pius was the name of 13 popes.
There are 44 papal names that have only been used once. Some of these names are: Anacletus, Constantine, Cornelius, Francis, Hilarius, Linus, Marcellinus, Mark, Peter, and Valentine.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCAN and CNA