- News. Who is Robert Prevost: The first american Pope who replaces the death of Pope Francis in the Vatican
- News. Why do all Popes change their names and what is the election process?
Robert Francis Prevost Martinez, the secular name of the new pontiff Leo XIV, was elected as the 267th Pope in history on Thursday, May 8, during the second day of the Conclave. Roberto Francisco Prevost Martinez, as he is also known given his Peruvian nationality, took the name Leo XIV when he was conferred the title of successor of St. Peter. Here we tell you the reasons for his election
Robert Prevost, the second American Pope, chooses the name Leo XIV
The French-born protodeacon, Dominique Mamberti, uttered the famous phrase "Habemus Papam" on Thursday from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and revealed that Cardinal Robert Prevost Martinez would be the new Pope of the Catholic Church.
Mamberti then announced that the new Pope had chosen the name Leo XIV to begin his pontificate, reminding us of the importance of doctrinal serenity in turbulent times, a characteristic that distinguished the first Pope to adopt the name Leo.
Why did Prevost choose the name Leo XIV?
As learned specialists of the canon, we can assume that, when appointed Pope, cardinals choose their name as an allusion to the qualities possessed by the Popes who preceded them and who deserve iration
Thus, going back to the first Pope to choose the name Leo, we find St. Leo the Great, also known as Leo I, who was Pope between 440 and 461. He is one of the few pontiffs in history to have received the title of "the Great."
One of his most famous feats was when he personally met Attila, the King of the Huns, convincing him not to invade Rome in 452.