why do popes get/chose nicknames instead of using their real name?
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The Popes choosing a Papal name goes back centuries.
Originally the Popes just used their real name.
The first Pope to change his name was Mercurius who believed that being named after a Pagan God was inappropriate for a Pope so he went with John II in honor of his predecessor.
John being the name of an apostle.
Other later Popes would change their names, but this eventually became a tradition.
Papal names are often chosen because of their Christian meaning, or because of the meaning behind the name. Popes will often chose a name reflecting a previous Pope that they want to emulate in terms of policies.
My aunt was a nun. Her given name was Norma but she chose a much prettier name when she became a nun.
it’s the same reason why Muslim converts often choose Muslim names, it is a form of displaying change and their personal religious beliefs to others. It was likely happening all over Christendom on an individual level as people converted to the faith.
The first pope to adopt the tradition was Pope John II whose original name was Mercurius. Being named after a Roman god wouldn’t look good for the leader of the Catholic Church and it is something that opponents of the church would use as an argument against conversion.
These days popes take the name of a Saint they wish to embody in their directing of the Church. Pope Francis chose a saint that was willingly impoverished and ministered to everyone he could as a sign he wanted to make a more inclusive and humble church.
It began in 533, with Pope John II, who had been given the name Mercurius at birth. He thought it was improper for the Pope to be named after a Roman god, so he took a new name, and the custom stuck.
Several people have mentioned Pope John II who was originally Mercurius.
One could argue that the tradition of having a papal name goes all the way back to Peter, originally named Simon, but Jesus renamed because on ‘this rock’ [Petros/Petra, Greek for rock], Jesus would build his church.
As already answered, the tradition started when Mercurius chose a regnal name, John, due to not wanting the leader of the Catholic Church to be named after a pagan god. The tradition has since continued, with Popes choosing their regnal names often to continue the values and work of previous popes of the same name.
It could also be said that the choice of widely recognised names makes it easier to identify Popes on a global scale, whereas it can be difficult to remember, Pope Giulio (Clement VII), Pope Albino (John Paul I), Pope Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II), etc.
It’s worth noting that John Paul I was the first pope to choose a double-name in honour of his two predecessors, John XXIII and Paul VI. He was also the first and, as of this point, the only one to style himself as “the First” (John Paul I), whereas conventionally numbering only begins from the second pope of the same name, implying that he foresaw other popes following his tradition. Pope Francis did not choose to give himself a number.
On a related note, a similar tradition applies with royal families. Royal families will more often choose a more “noble” name when ascending the throne, invoking centuries of tradition. This is particular pertinent in modern times when royals will marry commoners. So someone born as “Kate” will almost certainly be renamed as “Catherine”. Heirs may choose to name themselves after one of their ancestors – King Charles III was speculated to possibly choose George after his grandfather, though the royals also tend to have a *lot* of given names and this is more or less picking the one they want to be called (in the case of King Charles III: Charles Philip Arthur George.)
Off topic kinda but not really, Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia) was the most interesting pope to ever live.
I recommend watching ‘Borgia’ over ‘The Borgias’ I feel it’s a much better show.
The logical fallacy “appeal to antiquity.” Popes and kings require immediate adulation, unwilling to do the necessary work to earn it. So they use a former adored leader’s name to jump the queue. Follow these scoundrels at your own risk.
Just want to chime in to say that kings have chosen regnal names different from their birth names all over world history. Egypt, China, Japan just off the top of my head. And the Pope very much was a king, directly ruling over significant land in Italy on top of the Church-owned land in other kingdoms
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