TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - On the night of Thursday, May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th pope, taking the name Leo XIV. His election, which took place in a conclave lasting about 26 hours, is one of the shortest in the history of selecting the Roman Catholic Church's highest leader.
After being elected as the successor to the late Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. He greeted thousands of Catholic believers who were waiting for the new pope's appearance.
As quoted from Vatican News on Thursday, the Holy See Spokesman Matteo Bruni stated that the 69-year-old man from Chicago, Illinois, chose the name Pope Leo XIV in reference to Pope Leo XIII, the author of the encyclical Rerum Novarum in 1891. The document marked the beginning of the modern social doctrine of the Catholic Church.
The last Pope Leo was used by Cardinal Vincenzo Pecci when he was elected as the 256th pope on February 20, 1878. He chose the name Pope Leo XIII and served as pope until his death on July 20, 1903, around 122 years ago.
Leo is one of the most popular names for popes. Until now, the name Leo has been used 13 times, including Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost.
Here are the 7 most chosen names for popes throughout the history of the Catholic Church:
1. John
The most frequently chosen name for popes is John. Throughout history, there have been 21 popes who used that name. Its popularity is partly due to the many saints named John, such as John the Baptist and the Apostle John, as well as the tradition of honoring the predecessors.
The last pope to use this name was Cardinal Angelo Roncalli as Pope John XXIII. As reported by Pope History, he was the 261st highest leader of the Catholic Church and the 21st pope to use the name John. Pope John XXIII was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church. His canonization took place on April 27, 2014, by Pope Francis.
2. Benedict
The next most chosen name by many popes is Benedict. This name was chosen by 16 popes. The last one to use that name was Pope Benedict XVI.
Born with the name Joseph Ratzinger in Germany, Pope Benedict XVI was the 265th leader of the Catholic Church. He is the oldest pope to lead since Pope Clement XII in 1730. Cardinal Ratzinger was ordained pope on April 19, 2005, and resigned on February 28, 2013.
3. Gregory
Like Benedict, the name Gregory was also used by 16 popes, making it the second most popular name for popes-along with Benedict. The last, Cardinal Bartolomeo Cappellari, chose the name Pope Gregory XVI.
He became the 254th person to bear the responsibility as the highest leader of the Catholic Church. Pope Gregory XVI was ordained on February 2, 1831, and ruled until his death on June 1, 1846.
4. Clement
The name Clement is also quite popular among the most chosen names for popes. This name was adopted by 14 popes. The latest to use this name was Cardinal Giovanni Ganganelli as Pope Clement XIV. He became the 249th pope, leading the Catholic Church from May 19, 1769, until his death on September 22, 1774.
5. Leo
Similar to Innocent, the name Leo was also adopted by 14 popes. The latest person to use this name was Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was elected as the 267th pope on Thursday, May 8, 2025. He adopted the name Pope Leo XIV.
Previously, 122 years ago, Cardinal Vincenzo Pecci adopted the name Pope Leo XIII when he was elected as the 256th pope on February 20, 1878. He chose the name Pope Leo XIII and served as pope until his death on July 20, 1903.
6. Innocent
Throughout the history of the papacy, the name Innocent was used by 13 popes. The latest to adopt this name was Pope Innocent XIII. Born with the name Michaelangelo dei Conti, he was the 244th pope to lead the Church.
Cardinal Michaelangelo dei Conti was ordained as pope on May 8, 1721, and led until his death on March 7, 1724.
7. Pius
Next is Pius, one of the most chosen names for popes. This name was chosen by 12 popes. The last one to adopt that name was Pius XII. Born in Rome on March 2, 1876, with the name Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli, Pius XII was ordained as pope on March 2, 1939. He was the 260th pope in history and ruled until his death on October 9, 1958.
He became pope just a few months before the outbreak of World War II. He played a complex and significant role in various major political events during his papacy from 1939 to 1958, a period that included World War II, the Holocaust, and the beginning of the Cold War.
He firmly opposed totalitarian regimes including Nazism, Fascism, and Communism, and he was committed to defending human rights.
Editor's Choice: 7 Interesting Facts About Pope Leo XIV, the First American Pope
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