such as pope BENEDICT XVI
2007-05-29 10:18:28 · 5 answers · asked by divadi73 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No pope is obligated to change his name. This is a pious tradition (not Sacred Tradition).
The practice arose when a pagan convert to Christianity became Pope and changed his name from Mercury (after the pagan Roman god) to John II in 533 A.D.
Until then, the Popes kept their original names, from Peter (#1) to Boniface II (#55).
Between John II (#56) and Sergius IV (#142) in 1009 A.D only a few Popes changed their names.
But since Sergius IV, it has been common practice for all Popes to change their name when elected pontiff except Adrian VI and Marcellus II.
With love in Christ.
2007-05-29 18:01:22 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
New popes usually pick a new name for themselves...in the case of Pope John Paul I, he picked the name of two previous popes.
2007-05-29 10:27:01 · answer #2 · answered by chrstnwrtr 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Popes take on the name of a Saint.
2007-05-29 10:22:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Newly elected Popes can choose whatever name they wish...
2007-05-29 10:21:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A quick search finds the closest answer to your question I could find.
It's a "papal name"
2007-05-29 10:33:28 · answer #5 · answered by Tao 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋