The New Pope: What a name can tell us about the shape of a Pontificate

When a new pope is elected, one of the first acts that captures the world’s attention is his choice of papal name. These names are not chosen lightly—they serve as signals, laden with history, tradition, and intent. With the recent announcement of Pope Leo XIV, the Church and the world are now turning to the legacy of previous popes named Leo to understand the direction in which this new pontiff may steer the Barque of Peter.

The name "Leo" carries with it a weighty heritage. Thirteen popes have borne the name, from the 5th century through to the early 20th century. Some were transformational figures in Church history, others defenders of doctrine, peacemakers, or administrators of ecclesiastical reform. Taken together, they may indicate what the future pope's intents may be.

The Greatness of Leo I

Any discussion of papal Leos must begin with the most illustrious: Pope Leo I, also known as Leo the Great (reigned 440–461). A Doctor of the Church, Leo I redefined the papacy's role in both the ecclesial and political arenas. He famously met Attila the Hun in 452 and, according to tradition, persuaded the feared warlord to spare Rome from destruction. Whether by diplomacy or divine intervention, the act established the pope as not only a spiritual leader but also a guardian of civilisation.

Even more enduring was Leo I’s theological contribution. His Tome of Leo, a letter sent to the Council of Chalcedon in 451, became a cornerstone of orthodox Christology. It affirmed the dual nature of Christ—fully divine and fully human—and was greeted with the cry:

 "Peter has spoken through the mouth of Leo!" 

Should Leo XIV wish to signal a return to clear, robust doctrinal leadership or to position himself as a mediator in a fragmented world, the shadow of Leo the Great looms as both inspiration and challenge.

Leo III and the Carolingian Revival

Pope Leo III (reigned 795–816) is perhaps best remembered for his fateful act on Christmas Day in the year 800: the coronation of Charlemagne as Emperor of the Romans. This act revived the Western Roman Empire in what would become the Holy Roman Empire, realigning the Church’s power with the emerging political order of medieval Europe. Though controversial at the time, it underscored the pope’s role as a maker—and legitimiser—of kings.

Leo III’s pontificate was not without struggle. He survived a brutal attack by his enemies in Rome and was restored by Charlemagne himself, further cementing the alliance between the papacy and imperial power. His legacy is one of resilience, institutional savvy, and the forging of alliances that would define Europe for centuries.

Should Leo XIV envision a papacy marked by strategic partnerships or geopolitical influence—particularly at a time of rising secularism and instability—he may see in Leo III a model for building durable coalitions, whether spiritual or political.

Leo X and the Renaissance Court

The Renaissance brought with it a very different kind of Leo: Pope Leo X (reigned 1513–1521), born Giovanni de’ Medici. A scion of Florence’s most powerful family, Leo X was a lavish patron of the arts and a central figure in the High Renaissance. Under his reign, Rome blossomed with artistic splendour: Raphael, Michelangelo, and others flourished under papal commission.

Yet Leo X is also remembered for presiding over the Church on the eve of the Protestant Reformation. His decision to authorise the sale of indulgences to fund the rebuilding of St Peter’s Basilica directly contributed to Martin Luther’s 95 Theses in 1517. His underestimation of the brewing theological storm remains one of the most consequential misjudgements in Church history.

Leo XIV, then, inherits from Leo X a cautionary tale: the pursuit of beauty and cultural engagement must be balanced with theological vigilance and pastoral sensitivity. As the Church once again grapples with modernisation, art, and dialogue with contemporary culture, Leo XIV may draw both inspiration and warning from this Medici pope.

Leo XIII: The Modern Architect

Perhaps the most directly relevant predecessor to Leo XIV is Pope Leo XIII (reigned 1878–1903). The longest-reigning pope at the time, Leo XIII was a statesman, philosopher, and visionary who helped modernise the Church’s engagement with the modern world. His landmark encyclical Rerum Novarum (1891) laid the foundations for modern Catholic social teaching, addressing the rights of workers, the responsibilities of capital, and the moral duties of the state.

Leo XIII saw no contradiction between faith and reason. He encouraged the study of Thomistic philosophy, welcomed scientific inquiry, and opened the Vatican Archives to scholars. His pontificate marked the transition from a Church reeling from the loss of the Papal States to one focused on moral leadership in the modern era.

In an age where the Church faces renewed calls for social justice, environmental stewardship, and engagement with contemporary philosophical currents, Leo XIII offers Leo XIV a compelling blueprint for relevance without compromise.

A Papal Name as a Declaration of Intent

What, then, might we infer from the choice of “Leo” by the newly elected pope?

Names are rarely coincidental. By choosing the name Leo, the new pope aligns himself with a lineage of builders, defenders, and reformers. He nods to Leo I’s theological boldness, Leo III’s institutional resilience, Leo X’s cultural immersion, and Leo XIII’s social vision.

This is not the name of a caretaker pope. It is a name rich with connotation, evoking times when the papacy stood at pivotal crossroads: facing down invading hordes, confronting doctrinal heresies, blessing empires, navigating the tides of modernity. Each of these moments demanded leadership that was courageous, creative, and—at times—controversial.

It may also suggest a desire to position the papacy once more at the heart of global moral dialogue. With rising global inequality, ideological polarisation, environmental degradation, and an increasingly fragmented Christian witness, the challenges are no less daunting today than they were in the fifth, eighth, or nineteenth centuries.

Looking to the Future: The Pattern of the Leos

If there is a pattern in the history of papal Leos, it is one of assertive engagement with the world. Whether in defence of doctrine, in negotiation with empires, or in response to the currents of culture, each Leo was a pope of action. Some were controversial, others beloved; some were cautious administrators, others bold reformers. But all saw the papacy not as a seat of passive stewardship, but as a platform for shaping history.

This legacy brings with it both opportunity and expectation. Pope Leo XIV has signalled, perhaps, a vision for a more outward-facing papacy—unafraid of the world’s complexities, unflinching in the face of change, and deeply rooted in tradition without being bound by it.

The world will watch to see how he walks this path. Will he, like Leo I, be a theologian of clarity? Like Leo XIII, a statesman of conscience? Or might he bring a new synthesis altogether—charting a course that reflects the diverse legacies of his namesakes while responding to the urgent demands of the 21st century?

Whatever the shape of his reign, one thing is clear: by taking the name Leo, the new pope has roared into history with purpose.