Why Did Robert Prevost Choose the Name Leo XIV?

The papal name "Leo" has now been adopted by fourteen popes in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, making it one of the most frequently used papal names.

The first, Pope Leo I, also known as Leo the Great was a pivotal figure in church history. He is renowned for his theological contributions, including his articulation of the doctrine of the Incarnation, and his role in strengthening the authority of the papacy. One of his most notable achievements was when he persuaded Attila the Hun to turn back from his invasion of Italy, enhancing Leo I's legacy as a protector of Rome.

Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor in the year 800, solidifying the alliance between the papacy and European monarchy.

Pope Leo X, a member of the powerful Medici family, reigned during the early years of the Protestant Reformation and is remembered for excommunicating Martin Luther. The use of "Leo" conveys strength and continuity, linking its bearers to the influential legacy of Leo I.