Catholic Online Forum

Let's see if we can figure out which regnal name the new pope will choose! First prize is a trip to Rome! *

You get 3 choices. I pick:

Clement
Leo
Boniface

* I didn't say which year you'd be going....

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Daisy Martin

I have no idea how to guess what a future pope would choose, but I like these:

Leo
Athanasius
Cyril

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Grace

As to the past, let us entrust it to God's mercy, the future to Divine Providence. Our task is to live holy the present moment. - Saint Gianna Molla

I opt for Pius 13.

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"Lord to whom shall I go? Thou hast the words of eternal life"

Does it have to be a "Traditional Name"? Why not Christopher I

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Bob C

How about Fabrizio?

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Pax et Bonum


Schultzz

I like that.
Joseph?

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Grace

As to the past, let us entrust it to God's mercy, the future to Divine Providence. Our task is to live holy the present moment. - Saint Gianna Molla

Add my vote for P13

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Dennis (Bear) Buonafede
Orangeville, Canada: True, North, Strong and Free(zing)

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.

Because of Joseph's unique place in the life of Christ I do not see that happening

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Bob C

I am going with Benedict XVII.

There is a tradition since the 16th century of elected Popes taking on the regnal of their predecessors who were not able to finish key initiatives they started. And Pope Benedict XVI has a few major works-in-progress, Christian unity probably tops them.

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Ian DC
Blessed Ever Virgin Mary -- Sanctuary and resting-place of the Blessed Trinity where God dwells in greater and more divine splendour than anywhere else in the universe

I don't follow you, Bob. Why not? haven't nuns and priests taken this name in the days when they used to change their names?
Although, actually ... it doesn't really sound that good.

It might cause problems having two Pope Benedicts at the same time, don't you think? Even if one is an emeritus.

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Grace

As to the past, let us entrust it to God's mercy, the future to Divine Providence. Our task is to live holy the present moment. - Saint Gianna Molla

Are we sure Benedict XVI will retain his name and won't go back to Josef Ratzinger? I'm not.

Also, even if Benedict XVI retains his name, he will retire to a life of prayer and, I'm sure, obscurity. There will be no problems with two Benedicts, because Benedict XVI will not impinge on his successor's rule in any way.

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Dean
Most people's sense of history goes back to breakfast time - Benjamin Netanyahu

Wow, hadn't considered that. He likely will go back to being Bishop Ratzinger, not sure if he retains the rank of Cardinal.

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Bob C

On the other hand, it may well re-enforce the determination of the Church to continue in the direction of the path that B16 has mapped out.

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Ian DC
Blessed Ever Virgin Mary -- Sanctuary and resting-place of the Blessed Trinity where God dwells in greater and more divine splendour than anywhere else in the universe

Yes he will retain the rank of Cardinal, although he will be ineligible to vote for the next Pope because he is over the age of 80.

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Dean
Most people's sense of history goes back to breakfast time - Benjamin Netanyahu

Me neither.

Yes, I suppose you're right. It's not like he's going to be giving interviews to journalists.
Good point.
Maybe he could take another double name, like Benedict Leo I. Now that is a terrific name.

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Grace

As to the past, let us entrust it to God's mercy, the future to Divine Providence. Our task is to live holy the present moment. - Saint Gianna Molla

It would be interesting if that happens again. Cardinal Albino Luciani took on the regnal name John Paul I because of his personal ties with the two previous popes before him. Cardinal Karol Jozef Wojtyla assumed the name of John Paul II in honour of his predecessor, who was in office for only 33 days.

Another double name, I would assume, must have some kind of connection or synergy between the two regnal offices.

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Ian DC
Blessed Ever Virgin Mary -- Sanctuary and resting-place of the Blessed Trinity where God dwells in greater and more divine splendour than anywhere else in the universe

Somewhere somebody mentioned the betting. I just saw a story that says, "In the category of Next Papal Name, Peter has taken a commanding lead, paying even money, with Pius at 4-1, and John and Benedict each at 12-1. A long shot, at 100-1, is Damian."

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Grace

As to the past, let us entrust it to God's mercy, the future to Divine Providence. Our task is to live holy the present moment. - Saint Gianna Molla

Peter would be presumptuous at this stage. It will never happen unless we get a real revolutionary, which will not happen in our lifetime, IMO.

Frankly, I've always thought Pius and Innocent to be rather arrogant as well. It does not fit this age and culture. I think Pius unlikely, but I am increasingly finding that what I think is this culture is actually just my local culture. It may be perceived very differently in other cultures.

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Jeff Stevens

Grace, I like Joseph, too, and had wished Cdl. Ratzinger had retained his own name when he became Popel

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Pax et bonum,
Marie

JMJ

Gregory (as in Pope St. Gregory VII) would be a good one. I rather like how Henry IV was led to submit to him.

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Dean
Most people's sense of history goes back to breakfast time - Benjamin Netanyahu

Grace,

That's with the people who think they will see the world end in their lifetime. According to the oft-mentioned St. Malachy's prophecy, the last Pope will be called "Peter the Roman."

It wouldn't mean he's from Rome per se, but just has something to do with Rome, like, ah- Roman Catholic? Duh! I hope it's not Cdl. Peter Turkson of Ghana. Maybe that's why he's first in the bookies' lists. People just want to see the world ending.

To stretch this Malachian "prophecy" some more. You know that Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Wall in Rome? It has the portraits of all the popes - from St. Peter down to Pope Benedict XVI - painted and framed in medallions up where the walls meet the ceiling. All but one of the medallions have been occupied. So prophecy-curious people suppose that medallion is reserved for Peter the Roman, which means - the end!

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Pax et bonum,
Marie

JMJ

I hope it's Peter Turkson for exactly that reason, to put another coffin in that absurd "prophecy".

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Jeff Stevens

Jeff,
I think it has something to do with how these names are translated into English. In Spanish (and I'm guessing also in Italian), Pio (the male form of "piedad") and Inocencio (innocence) are nouns, not adjectives.

They mean virtues, and not necessarily characteristics of the men carrying these names, which, by the way, are standard male names among Hispanics.

(In my time, babies born on December 28 were automatically named "Inocencio" or "Inocencia" after the Holy Innocents.)

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Pax et bonum,
Marie

JMJ

I was gonna say...

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Pax et bonum,
Marie

JMJ

Jeff,

Oohhh... I liked the idea of a pope from Africa who is close to persecuted Christians... but I hadn't factored in that.

Noooo.... it might not put an end to it in your lifetime. We could have 30 years of craziness. I got involved in a weird thing when somebody's friend on FB posted about some prophecies of Maria Divine Mercy and I asked a question, and then the guy started sending me messages, and he was really angry when I didn't want to believe them.

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Grace

As to the past, let us entrust it to God's mercy, the future to Divine Providence. Our task is to live holy the present moment. - Saint Gianna Molla

Daisy,



I believe that may rather depend on who the Holy Spirit chooses as the new pope.

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James Daly

"It is the Lord." (Jn 21:7)

Jeff,



"You betcha!" (Sarah Palin)

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James Daly

"It is the Lord." (Jn 21:7)

JMJ


Two Saints I am inspried by are St. Francis of Assisi and St. Francis Xavier. We've never had a Pope named Francis; I think it is unlikely but I can hope.

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Peace.. Mary Jo
They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles (Isiah 40:32)

Pope Francis - I like that!

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Daisy Martin

"Bob" has a nice ring to it.

Seriously, though - I do like "Joseph". He's one of my patrons (confirmation name).

Maybe something like Leonard - that's derived from Lion-Heart, right? Might need somebody with the heart of a lion.


I did like this exchange on a video clip I saw somewhere:

TV host: Hey, could I become Pope?
priest guest: Yes, technically - the Cardinals could make even you Pope. What name would you choose?
TV host: Urban. I like "Urban"
priest guest: How about "sub-Urban?"

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Rob

Rob,
That's so funny! I like it!

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Pax et bonum,
Marie

JMJ

Fr, Z posted this in his blog, from a German newspaper:

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Pax et bonum,
Marie

JMJ

Marie:

A German newspaper maybe, but an American cartoonist (with a good German surname):

http://www.hellertoon.com/main.html

cheers,

chris kirk

Chris,
So I see. Don't you just love his works?

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Pax et bonum,
Marie

JMJ

oh ja! Like this one from his archives: http://www.hellertoon.com/toons/portfol ... toon6.html

chris kirk

I like that my sister, very funny.

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Pax et Bonum


Schultzz

My money's on "Pius".

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Cynthia Gee


".....and finally, I suggest you follow Jesus Christ rather than Rush Limbaugh. The former will lead you to heaven, the latter won't." ~~~~~~~~~~~anonymous

Cynthia,

Pius would be a lovely name. The betting is at 9/2.

Peter is even money (?!).

Benedict is 12/1. Very odd. I'd've thought Benedict likely for the reason Ian mentioned.


http://www.paddypower.com/bet/current-a ... ds=1178746

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James Daly

"It is the Lord." (Jn 21:7)

We may be learning the name of the new Pope sooner than we thought - I just read a news story which stated that the election could be moved up to March 1.

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Cynthia Gee


".....and finally, I suggest you follow Jesus Christ rather than Rush Limbaugh. The former will lead you to heaven, the latter won't." ~~~~~~~~~~~anonymous

THAT shows how clueless paddypower is!

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Grace

As to the past, let us entrust it to God's mercy, the future to Divine Providence. Our task is to live holy the present moment. - Saint Gianna Molla

I think the odds reflect the betting rather than the book maker. He just sets them to ensure that he makes a profit no matter who wins.

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- Joe Kelley

Death is only a shadow across the path to Heaven.

It would seem that St Jude might be an appropriate patron.

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- Joe Kelley

Death is only a shadow across the path to Heaven.

Grace,



The odds reflect the market. I believe Mr Power has made his personal opinion known, in his usual amusing way, by offering Peter as part of his "St Malachy Nostradamus Double".

You might also notice that he is offering 500/1 for the name being Paddy Power.

Did you notice Fr Dougal Maguire as next pope at 1000/1? (He is a fictional character from a television sitcom.)

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James Daly

"It is the Lord." (Jn 21:7)

Note that Cardinal Turkson is the leading contender in the betting, but Paddy Power is offering a refund of all losing bets if a black pope is elected.

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- Joe Kelley

Death is only a shadow across the path to Heaven.

One oddity to note about history (although it doesn't apply this time):

The same regnal name has never been used three times in a row.

I'm hoping for any name other than Peter II

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Peace,
David Cheney

I still like Athanasius. Also, I've just looked at the list of popes' names, and Callixtus is very cool-sounding.
Yes. I don't like conspiracy theories or Nostradumus-like predictions, but that would definitely heighten my sense of anxiety about the impending doom of civilisation.

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Grace

As to the past, let us entrust it to God's mercy, the future to Divine Providence. Our task is to live holy the present moment. - Saint Gianna Molla

So, a prophecy made by a saint is absurd (btw, does Or Lady of Fatima fall under the same category?). Names Pius and Innocent are "too arrogant", and do not fit "our culture"? What culture, may I ask? Definitely not Catholic culture. I presume we are talking about liberal, agressively secular, sodomite-friendly anti-christian culture here? And Church should take this into account? What kind of church is that? Ah yes, modernist church, of course. But what good is there of such church? A church like this does not save any souls any more. It's just a club and entertainment.
Salt is good. But if the salt shall lose its savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither profitable for the land nor for the dunghill, but shall be cast out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

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Fred

Sancte Michael Archangele,
defende nos in prælio;
contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto præsidium.

It might. But only if the reigning Pope decides to change the law.

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Dean
Most people's sense of history goes back to breakfast time - Benjamin Netanyahu

Our pastor told us to pray for a young Pope in case he is the final Pope per the prophecy, the world might last longer!

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BobA

Fred, if you have an issue with me, at least have the courage to direct your comments to me.

Yes, it's absurd, because it's a forgery.
http://www.catholic.com/blog/karl-keati ... apam-still



Comparing the prophecy of St Malachy to Our Lady's appearance at Fatima is deceptive.


Yup. I don't know if you noticed, or if you care, but the Church is sort of in the business of attracting people to the Gospel. I Corinthians 9:22.


Putting words in my mouth is calumnous, Fred. I don't want a modernist church; I want a church that is effective in communicating the Gospel, and one that upholds truth, not forgery.

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Jeff Stevens