As 133 cardinals prepare to enter conclave on Wednesday to elect a new pope, attention is turning to a symbolic yet powerful decision the next pontiff will make moments after his election: choosing his papal name.
When Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in March 2013, the world knew little of the Argentine prelate. But when he announced his name—Francis—his intentions became clear. Taking inspiration from St. Francis of Assisi, known for his rejection of wealth, care for the poor, advocacy for peace, and love of the environment, Bergoglio signaled a papacy focused on humility, inclusion, and global justice.
Twelve years later, the successor to Pope Francis is expected to send a similarly powerful message through the name he chooses.
The name John remains a possibility, and not just for its frequency—22 popes have used it—but because Pope Francis himself has suggested it for his successor. The name would recall Pope John XXIII, known as “The Good Pope,” who opened the Second Vatican Council and helped reduce Cold War tensions, including working quietly to ease the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Alternatively, the name Paul would evoke Pope Paul VI, who followed John XXIII and is remembered for solidifying Vatican II reforms while maintaining doctrinal clarity. Some within the Church suggest a return to such cautious conservatism might be timely following the more progressive tone of Francis’ tenure.
Another possible signal could be found in the name Benedict, either honoring Francis’ immediate predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, or Benedict XV, who led during World War I and urged for peace.
There is also the possibility that the new pontiff could choose Francis II, sending a direct message that the vision of the late pope will continue. This would mark the first time a second Francis leads the Church.
A double name could also make a return. When Cardinal Albino Luciani became Pope John Paul I in 1978, he chose to honor both John XXIII and Paul VI. His successor, Pope John Paul II, extended that tribute and led for nearly three decades.
Names like Gregory, Leo, Pius, and Clement also remain traditional options, each carrying historical resonance.
As the conclave begins, Catholics and observers around the globe await not just the sight of white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel, but the name that will shape the tone and legacy of the next pontificate.
