The new Pope, the American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has chosen the name Leo XIV for his papacy, reviving a historical tradition within the Vatican. He is inspired by the figures of Saint Leo the Great and Leo XIII, aiming to continue their doctrinal and pastoral legacy.
This decision to adopt the name Leo XIV resonates with the heritage of previous popes who held that title. From Leo III, who crowned Charlemagne as emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, to Leo XIII, known for his modernization efforts and for establishing the Church's Social Doctrine.
Leo XIV becomes the first American Pope in over a century to take this name. This pontiff is recognized as one of the most influential in the history of the Church. By joining the list of Leos who preceded him, he seeks to honor Saint Leo the Great, a symbol of doctrinal firmness and spiritual leadership.
The legacy of previous popes who bore the name Leo is diverse. From Saint Leo the Great, who strengthened the Roman primacy and confronted Attila the Hun, to popes like Leo VI and Leo XI, who had brief papacies and faced significant challenges. The new Pope Leo XIV thus inaugurates a new chapter in the history of the Church as the first American to take on this role.
