Quote:
Originally posted by HappyKappy
The Pope is supposed to be a direct descendant of the apostle Peter, so most Popes take on another name to show that they are no longer a descendant of their parents. . . .
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I think the word is supposed to be "successor," not "descendant." That said, the pope has the option of keeping his birth name, picking the name of a previous pope, or choosing a "new" name (which in a sense, John Paul I did, since there had been no pope with a double name before.) Often the name of a favorite saint is chosen, or there is another sentimental reason. John XXIII chose the name John because it was his father's name and because the church he was baptized was dedicated to St John. Peter is the one name no pope would choose -- too presumptuous.
Actually, the tradition of taking a new name was started in 533 by John II. His birth name was Mercurius or Mercury, which of course was the name of a pagan god. That's why he changed it. The last pope to keep his given name as pope was Marcellus II in 1555.
As for me,
Pope Linus,
Pope Lupinus (to balance the Leos),
Pope John Boy,
Pope Guido, or
Pope Shamalamadingdong.
Maybe the first female, Southern pope could be Pope Aree.
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