Why Do Popes Choose Names That Are Different From Their Own?

[arwalden]

[Selteri]

1. IIRC it is supposed to represent their ascencion to

the infallability of the papal position.

[Zynx]

7. Not everything a Pope says or does is infallible.

To become infallible they have to perform a distinct ritual to make a certain teaching about church teaching "ex cathedra". In fact, it has only been done twice.

[Warpy]

2. It started in the early days of the church

when a cardinal named Mercury was elected. Since it was unseemly to have a Christian pope with the name of a Roman god, he changed his name on accession and it's been a tradition ever since.

[pie]

4. That's interesting

[TahitiNut]

9. Yep. Pope John II in 533 A.D.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_II
http://atheism.about.com/library/glossary/western/bldef_johnii.htm

[TyeDye75]

3. Because then they end up with groovy names like Sixtus the fifth

[orpupilofnature57]

5. I think it's like a conformation name, it has to be a saint. I wanted to be

St Alphonso, in honor of AL Capone

[TahitiNut]

10. It's called a "Regnal Name" and is common for monarchs (not Catholics)

It shouldn't be presumed to have a church origin, since it has been a common practice of monarchs, including non-Catholic and non-Christian, for many centuries.

The last two popes who did not adopt a new name as his regnal name were Marcellus II (Marcellus Corvini, 1555) and Adrian VI (Adrian Florisz Boeyens, 1522).

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regnal_name

[bkcc]

6. Catholics do the same thing when they're confirmed.

You're supposed to pick the name of a saint that inspires you, who you can use as a role model when following the teachings of Christ.

At least that's what they told me, back in the days when I was still a practicing Catholic.

[CatholicEdHead]

20. Yes we do

of course I have forgotten mine over the past decade. ;)

[wtmusic]

8. Do they have to change their screen names too?

I think John Paul was maggrwaggr...

[Inland]

11. To escape creditors? nt

[Rowdyboy]

12. Not only that, but in England when the Prince of Wales assumes the throne

They get to pick ANY NAME they want! Prince Charles could call himself by any one of his 4 f**king names (I think he's Charles Philip Artur George) or ANY other name he wants. He could be King Arthur II, King Kong, King Crimson, or King Bobo! I, personally think he should go with King Elvis II....

[muriel_volestrangler]

13. Some say he's going to choose George

because the last Charles (the Second) was a little too 'racy' (loads of illegitimate children, though not by his wife).

I think King Crimson would rule, so to speak ...

[arwalden]

14. I Like ... "Biggus Dickus" Myself

He has a wife you know...

[Rowdyboy]

15. I knoooooow.....

Isn't it exciting...The couple so vibrant and lovely....



Totally, "meant for each other".....

Now Charles can be her tampon whenever he wants!

King Kotex?

[arwalden]

16. You Know What She's Called?

Incontinentia.


Incontinentia Buttocks.

[Rowdyboy]

17. You're bad!

Its a match made in.....well, its a match, anyway.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

18. Common for monarchs and people in religious orders

Japanese emperors chose an "era name" when they ascend to the throne, and they are known by that name after they die.

Hirohito's era name was Showa (Shining Peace), and today, Japanese refer to him as Emperor Showa. His son Akihito has chosen the name Heisei (Peace Growing).

Monks and nuns used to take a new name to symbolize their rejection of the world. For example, when I was a freshman in college, I took Latin from a nun whom my college "borrowed" from one of the local Catholic colleges. She was called Sister Marie Gertrude. However, halfway through the year, she announced that her order had decided to have all the sisters reassume their birth names, so we were supposed to call her Sister Agnes.

[Igel]

19. Just tradition now: they take names of prior popes they want to

honor or emulate in some way.

Benedictus XV was pope 1914-1920. Pushed for peace during WWI.

[MemphisTiger]

22. They don't have to be a prior Pope

They can be any of the saints as well

[thinkingwoman]

21. it's an old pagan custom

to change your name to reflect a change in your life, the taking on of a new role, etc.

It's just another pagan custom that the Catholic Church adopted over the centuries.

It's also from the old testament...Abraham was not that guy's original "given" name.