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April 19, 2005
Useless Factoid of the Day #7: Habemus Papam -- Pope Names
Habemus Papam! (Lat., "We have a Pope")
German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected today as the successor to Pope John Paul II. The world was certainly grieving at Pope John Paul II's death, his papacy being one of the longest and most influential in recent Catholic and world memory. However, the focus from now on is clearly on the new Pope and the new era that begins after he takes over the reins of one of the most influential organizations in the world.
I'll spare my audience the painful details of conclave, which have been flashed around not only by newspapers and periodicals for the last month or so, but also by some *ahem* popular authors. (Angels and Demons, anyone?) This post concerns what happens at the end of conclave, when the new Pope has accepted his election (I am going to be unabashedly non-gender-neutral here until such time as there is even one woman in the college of Cardinals.). The newly elected Pope chooses a name for himself and is thusly wedded to the Holy See until death or retirement do them part.
I am not a Catholic, or even a Christian for that matter. However, aside from my passing interest in onomatology, I should mention that this post comes thanks to my teeny tiny audience, one of whom actually requested that I blog on the subject of papal names. It seems like my reputation as the World's Largest Repository of Useless Knowledge is taking on a personality of its own!
From some research on various Catholic websites and howstuffworks.com, I learned that the tradition of Popes choosing a papal name different from their birth name dates all the way back to 553 C.E., when Pope John II was elected. This Pope's birth name was Mercurius, obviously derived from Mercury, the Roman god. It was thought to be inappropriate for a Roman Catholic Pope to have a pagan name. Mr. Mercurius therefore renounced his birth name and assumed the name John II. Later, the Pope's choosing a new name was seen to be a symbol to his entry into a new life as the spiritual head of millions of Catholics. Popes typically assume names that honor their favorite saints or a previous Pope. Pope John Paul II chose his name to honor Pope John Paul I, his predecessor, who reigned for 33 days. Pope John Paul I had chosen his name to honor predecessors John XXIII and Paul VI.
Did you know that there has never been a Pope named Peter II? Ye Olde Peter I, also known as St. Peter, was the founder of the Roman Catholic sect and the Prince of the Apostles. In deference to his seminal accomplishments, no Pope has taken on his name. Apparently, the Prophecies of St. Malachy, an elaborate forgery perpetrated by some 15th century Jesuits, who had nothing better to do, say that the last Pope would be named Petrus Romanus.
Posted by Vishy at April 19, 2005 11:37 PM