Cardinal Robert Prevost has etched a new chapter in the annals of Catholic Church history, becoming the first American Pope and choosing the name Pope Leo XIV for his sacred tenure.
The name echoed across the world as the 69-year-old pontiff greeted the sea of believers at St. Peter’s Basilica. His words in Italian, Spanish, and Latin wafted over the tens of thousands of devout souls gathered in the square, a testament to the universality of the faith he now leads.
The choice of the name Leo XIV seems to be a respectful nod to St. Leo the Great and a reverent homage to his namesake predecessor, Pope Leo XIII. It’s a tradition that’s been held tight in the bosom of the Catholic Church for nearly two millennia, a tradition that sees a newly minted Pope change his name as he steps into the holy office.
Pope Leo XIII, who steadied the ship of the church from 1878 to 1903, was the last to bear the name Leo. The first was Pope Leo the Great, whose pontificate stretched from 440 to 461. The choice of Leo XIV, therefore, carries the weight of history and the promise of continuity.
The question that keeps bouncing around my mind is, what does this choice signify? Father Ed Tomlinson from the United Kingdom suggests it’s indicative of stoicism. “The papal name Leo unsurprisingly shows a Pope who is going to be strong during a time of crisis, historically,” he said.
Edward Feser, a philosophy professor, interprets the new Pope’s choice as an encouraging sign. A sign of a man who subordinates himself to the papal office and understands the importance of continuity with the past. This sentiment is echoed by the conservative political advocacy group, CatholicVote, who see the Pope’s decision as a hopeful sign of tradition, humility, and continuity.
From where I sit, the landscape looks like this. Born and raised in the heart of America, Chicago, the newly elected pope has spent the majority of his career serving as a missionary in Peru. His commitment to service led him to be appointed a cardinal by the late Pope Francis in 2023. Now, as Pope Leo XIV, he carries the hopes, prayers, and dreams of millions in his heart.
The heart of this matter beats with a simple truth. Every name carries a history, a legacy, a promise. By choosing the name Leo XIV, the new Pope has stepped into a lineage of strength and continuity.
