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by gerry sanzana on May 30th, 2005

gerry sanzana

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Why don't Popes use their real names?

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Answers. 2 helpful answers below.

  • by emilyw on June 5th, 2005

    emilyw

    "As the newly elected pope accepts his new role, it is tradition for him to select a new name. This papal tradition dates to 533 and the election of Pope John II, whose birth name was Mercurius, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia. Mercurius is derived from Mercury, a pagan Roman god. Believing that a successor of St. Peter should not carry a name belonging to a pagan religion, Mercurius chose to change his name upon his election to honor a previous pope.

    While some that followed John II chose to retain their original name, it soon became commonplace for new popes to choose a new moniker. The name change also symbolizes the new life that the new pope is entering as the head of the Catholic Church. Typically, the new pope selects the name of his favorite Saint or a former pope whom he admires."

    (Quoted from http://people.howstuffworks.com/papacy3.htm)

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  • by birch117 on February 20th, 2009

    birch117

    'Cause who would want to serve under a Pope Bob IV?

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