# What name will the next Pope choose? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 2, 2005, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386 "2005-04-02T09:24:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2005, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/62 "2005-04-03T13:51:29Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I think anything but John Paul III. JP II is one tough act to follow. Why make it tougher by choosing the same name? Especially since the dearly departed is going to be known as John Paul the Great. Would you want to be John Paul the Lesser? I think either Paul VII or John XXIV. If he can use two names, why not three? Pope Jean-Paul Sartre I! The first existentialist pope! And he should also be an unshaven chain-smoker, just for effect! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2005, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/63 "2005-04-03T14:10:17Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > If he can use two names, why not three? Pope Jean-Paul Sartre I! The first existentialist pope! And he should also be an unshaven chain-smoker, just for effect! 😃 After reading the “Malachy prophecies” stuff (see my MPSIMS thread for links on this): “They call him G - L - O
” :: ducks and runs as **Tom~** pursues me with bell, book, and candle :: ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2005, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/64 "2005-04-03T14:58:22Z")
> [@Tenar](#): > > And a puff of white smoke goes up for: > > Pope Peil (pronounced Popeel), history’s first “pocket fisher of men.” _smack_ That one actually made me cringe
 ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2005, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/65 "2005-04-03T15:02:40Z")
Pope Shlomo I ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2005, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/66 "2005-04-03T15:13:31Z")
Someone on [Google Answers](http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=357949) quotes a helpful extract from an article by Bernd-Ulrich Hergemöller in 'The Papacy: An Encyclopedia": "From the 16th century, the name chosen has invariably been inspired by the principle of pietas: PAUL IV, GREGORY XIV, CLEMENT X, INNOCENT XI, INNOCENT XII, CLEMENT XII, CLEMENT XIII, BENEDICT XIV, CLEMENT XIV, PIUS VII, PIUS VIII, and PIUS XII took the names of those predecessors who had raised them to the cardinalate. JULIUS III, PAUL V, and GREGORY XV chose the name of the pope who had launched them on their curial CAREER. CLEMENT VIII, LEO XI, INNOCENT X, ALEXANDER VII, and INNOCENT XIII chose the name of the pope who had actively supported their family. PAUL IV, PIUS V, SIXTUS V, and ALEXANDER VIII adopted the names of those predecessors whose nephews had contributed to their election. Taking a predecessor’s name not only was a way of giving symbolic thanks but also implied the wish to be faithful to a spiritual heritage. Hence the stereotypical, conservative character of pontifical names in the modern era. Julius, Marcellus, and Sixtus were chosen once; as for the others, the choice of names over the roughly four centuries from the council of TRENT to VATICAN II boils down to nine: Paul, Pius, Gregory, Urban, Innocent, Clement, Leo, Alexander, and Benedict. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the name Clement takes the lead, and then, until 1958, the name Pius. John XXIII (A. Roncalli, 1958) was the first to take the name of a medieval pope, thus symbolically emphasizing the end of the “papacy of the Piuses.” His successor PAUL VI’s choice was a subjective one, inspired primarily by a theological consideration. John Paul I was the first pope in history to adopt a double name, but his choice still obeyed the principle of respectful pietas toward his predecessors. The pontifical name of JOHN PAUL II invokes the memory of his three immediate predecessors." ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2005, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/67 "2005-04-03T15:32:37Z")
Mr. Blue Sky: > [@](#): > > Wasn’t Sisinnius a Phil Collins’ song? You’re thinking of Rio, by Duran Duran. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2005, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/68 "2005-04-03T15:59:16Z")
So if I understand that extract correctly **Aldiboronti** , my idea about a Pope Leo are out the window and we are more likely to get John XXIV, Paul VII, or John Paul III. Hmmmmm. But if whoever gets the post wants to reach further back doesn’t that seem that Leo could be a logical choice? ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2005, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/69 "2005-04-03T16:26:24Z")
I understand the sentiments behind a tradition of names, but when you’ve got something like twenty five Johns or Peters or whoever, it makes me wish they’d each pick a unique name. “That’ was John the 17th.” “Uhh, cite? I think it was the 18th.” “No, no, you’re both wrong it was the 15th! C’mon, the 18th was a hundred years later! Get your popes straight!” ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2005, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/70 "2005-04-04T00:57:02Z")
You gotta wonder, how many guys going into the conclave will be thinking of the name they will reign under, if they are elected. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2005, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/71 "2005-04-04T01:09:14Z")
How about Alexander IX? In honor of Alexander VI, the Borgia pope who hosted huge orgies in the Vatican! Let the good times roll! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2005, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/72 "2005-04-04T01:34:47Z")
Of course, if new pope is at a loss re his new name, he can always consult the Great Queen Spider! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2005, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/73 "2005-04-04T01:56:41Z")
Based on [current naming trends](http://www.babycenter.com/babyname/popnames.html), the next Pope will most likely be named Jacob if a boy or Emma (Emily) if a girl. (Personally I would like for him to be Adrian V just to worry those who associate the name with the antichrist from _Rosemary’s Baby_, but Madison and Connor are also nice.) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2005, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/74 "2005-04-04T02:18:30Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Based on [current naming trends](http://www.babycenter.com/babyname/popnames.html), the next Pope will most likely be named Jacob if a boy or Emma (Emily) if a girl. No, that’s the name of the Pope 60-odd years hence. 😉 All hail Pope Connor I. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2005, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/75 "2005-04-04T02:30:47Z")
Pope Sidious? I hope it’s not John Paul III-I think that would be a mistake. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/76 "2005-04-05T02:00:38Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > I understand the sentiments behind a tradition of names, but when you’ve got something like twenty five Johns or Peters or whoever, it makes me wish they’d each pick a unique name. “That’ was John the 17th.” “Uhh, cite? I think it was the 18th.” “No, no, you’re both wrong it was the 15th! C’mon, the 18th was a hundred years later! Get your popes straight!” Sad but true. In the two thousand years of church history, there were occasionally problems with the enumeration of the Popes. For example, there was never a [John XX](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_XX). ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/77 "2005-04-05T04:21:53Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > I understand that one of the front runners is a Nigerian cardinal. If he is elected, I hope he takes the name Pope Leroy, if only to see the expression on Pat Buchanan’s face. Or Snoop Popey Pope. And he should have big ass spinners on the Popemobile. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/78 "2005-04-05T04:34:18Z")
> [@](#): > > “They call him G - L - O
” Well, as long as they reunited _The Shadows of Night_, (or resurrected Jimi) to make the announcement. I don’t want any lassie-come-lately pop diva introducing the new pope. (Of course, if they could bring Jimi back for the announcement, they could call the next pope Joe.) ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/79 "2005-04-05T16:05:00Z")
Wasn’t one of the Innocents the pope Dante had in hell in his _Inferno_? If I’m remembering correctly, I doubt the next guy will choose that name. I’m hoping for something new - Leo, Gregory, or Benedict fits that nicely. But I’m not Catholic, so what do I know? “Onarope I” made me laugh out loud. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/80 "2005-04-05T21:30:16Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > Sad but true. In the two thousand years of church history, there were occasionally problems with the enumeration of the Popes. For example, there was never a [John XX](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_XX). [monty python] Look, when yer Bishop of Rome, ye’ve got more important things to do than remember yer bloody number! [/mp] ---
**Author:** ![Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chance_the_Gardener)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386/81 "2005-04-06T15:52:32Z")
> [@Snickers](#): > > Wasn’t one of the Innocents the pope Dante had in hell in his _Inferno_? If I’m remembering correctly, I doubt the next guy will choose that name. I think that was **Innocent V** , whom Dante felt was a heretic. Of course, whether or not he was had more to do with whether you were a Guelph or a Ghibelline (to put things in black and white, so to speak.) Dante’s opinion didn’t discourage the name, though; there were a number of Innocents after him. They went up to **Innocent XI** , at least. I like the idea of **John XX** , because that gap just bothers me. Worse, there already _was_ a **John XXIII** before 1958, though the original John XXIII was an antipope. What’s the big deal? I don’t think George W. Bush was legitimately elected in 2000, but I still say he became the 43rd president in 2001. It’s the same thing! **John XXIII** should have been **John XXIV** But they won’t listen. They never do. “It’s been six hundred years! Let it go!” they’ll say. “It’s just a number!” they’ll say. Yeah, well
 yeah, yeah
 I vote for **Alexander IX** , because the original Alexanders go so far back in history that choosing such a name would send no kind of signal of continuity. I have a hunch that the Vatican wants to change direction, so a name with no baggage would be ideal. I like the idea of **Francis I** ; it is odd that no one ever chose that name before. I’d love to see a pope with the chutzpah to call himself **Peter II** , but others have provided plenty of reasons why that probably won’t happen. Or how 'bout **Celestine VI**? There’s a signal for you! Time for some mystic crystal revelations! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-name-will-the-next-pope-choose/297386.md?page=5)