Conclave, Sebastiano Ricci 1687/1687
CV NEWS FEED // From the moment the Cardinal Protodeacon proclaims “Habemus Papam,” the world awaits the announcement of the new Pope’s chosen name, a tradition signifying his spiritual rebirth as the Bishop of Rome and universal pastor of the Church. This practice, Vatican News explains, tracing back to St. Peter (born Simon), became standard in 955 with Pope John XII and reflects reverence, continuity, or a commitment to innovation.
Here are the top 10 most used names throughout papal history:
1. John (23 Popes)
First adopted in 523 by Saint John I, a pope and martyr, “John” is the most frequently chosen papal name. The name carries a legacy of humility and pastoral care. Pope John XXIII (Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli) is the most recent pope to take the name. He was elected in 1958 and canonized by Pope Francis in 2014.
2. Gregory (16 Popes)
This name honors Pope Gregory I, who was better known as Saint Gregory the Great (590–604). He is remembered for his liturgical reforms and missionary zeal. Gregory XVI (1831–1846) was the most recent pope to use the name, using a name that evokes a tradition of strong leadership and theological depth.
3. Benedict (16 Popes)
Most recently chosen by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in 2005, the late pope said that he chose the name to honor two other Benedicts: Pope Benedict XV, who sought to maintain peace in World War I, and Saint Benedict of Nursia, founder of Western monasticism and co-patron of Europe.
4. Clement (14 Popes)
Pope Clement I, also known as Clement of Rome, was the third successor of St. Peter. He is considered one of the five Apostolic Fathers of the Church, and he is known for his First Epistle to the Corinthians, which encouraged unity between the clergy and the laity.
5. Innocent (13 Popes)
One of the most notable “Innocents” was Pope Innocent III, who reigned from 1198 to 1216 and left a strong legacy. He is known for his role in the Fourth Lateran Council and approving both the Dominican and Franciscan Orders.
6. Leo (13 Popes)
Pope Leo I, also known as Leo the Great, served from 440 to 461. He preserved the Church’s unity by combatting dangerous prominent heresies at the time like Pelagianism and Manicheanism.
7. Pius (12 Popes)
The name “Pius” is deeply associated with tradition and doctrinal strength. Seven of the 11 popes from 1775 to 1958 took this name. Pope Pius XII (Eugenio Pacelli) chose it in honor of Pius IX, Pius X (canonized in 1954), and Pius XI, who shaped his ecclesiastical career.
8. Stephen (9 Popes)
Pope Saint Stephen I was named Stephen by his Greek parents at birth, making him one of the popes who kept his baptismal name. He only served as pope for one year, from 257 to 258 AD, before he was martyred by Emperor Valerian’s soldiers while offering Mass.
9. Boniface (8 Popes)
Perhaps the most famous pope to bear this name was Pope Boniface VIII, who served as pope from 1294 to 1303. His bull Unam Sanctam (1302) explained that the pope is the head of the Church and that temporal powers, such as kings, must obey the head of the Church.
10. Urban (8 Popes)
Pope Urban II is one of the most famous popes to take this name. He called the Crusades to reclaim the Holy Land from Islamic invasion in 1095 at the Council of Claremont and was beatified in 1881.
Names never chosen
No pope has ever taken the name Peter, out of reverence for the first pope. Popes have also never used the names Joseph, James, Andrew, and Luke, despite their strong biblical associations.
