Every time a new pope is announced, the world holds its breath to hear his name. But here’s the twist: although that cardinal already has a name, the moment he becomes the new leader of the Catholic Church… he chooses a new one. So, why do popes change their name?
Is this some kind of Hogwarts-style tradition? Or something deeper? Spoiler: it has a lot to do with history, humility, spirituality — and, yes, maybe a hint of celestial branding.
After Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected pope, he chose the name Leo XIV. And while it might sound surprising, this is actually a centuries-old tradition — and far more meaningful than it might appear.
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Why Do Popes Change Their Names?
The first pope to do it was John XII, back in the year 955. His real name was Octavian, but he opted for something more, well, “papal.” Since then, every pope has chosen a new name that represents something important to him: a value, an ideal, a tribute, or a message to the world.
It’s kind of like choosing a new identity that reflects the kind of leadership he plans to embody as head of the Catholic Church.
See also: Where Does Pope Leo XIV Stand on LGBTQ+ Rights? What We Know So Far
A Biblical and Spiritual Shift
The main reason? The sense of mission. In the Bible, people often change their names when they’re called to a divine purpose. Simon became Peter when Jesus declared him the rock of the Church. Saul became Paul after his conversion.
So when a new pope is elected, changing his name symbolizes that he’s leaving behind his personal life to take on a new identity — that of spiritual shepherd to more than a billion Catholics worldwide.
See also: Why Pope Leo XIV Chose His Name — And What It Means for the Church
There’s Always a Message Behind the Name
It’s not like they just pick a name at random. Each pope takes time to choose a name that carries weight — one that reflects the legacy he hopes to leave. For example:
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John Paul I and John Paul II chose that combination to honor their immediate predecessors, signaling continuity.
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Benedict XVI drew inspiration from Benedict of Nursia, founder of Western monasticism, reflecting values of prayer and contemplation.
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Francis, the first Latin American pope, chose his name after St. Francis of Assisi, a symbol of humility, poverty, and love for nature.
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And now, Leo XIV, our new pope, has revived a name not used in over 120 years — likely to project spiritual strength and a renewed chapter in the modern Church.
See also: Donald Trump Reacts to the First American Pope—Did He Hinted It?
Is the Name Change Mandatory?
Technically? No. A pope could keep his birth name. But that would be very unusual — no one has done that in over a thousand years. Plus, sticking with your original name might signal that there’s no real transformation, no new mission. So while it’s not a hard rule, changing your name is pretty much an unwritten law of the Vatican.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Nayely Aguilera in Cultura Colectiva.