Why the Pope chose the name Leo XIV is revealed: Choice of title shows how he wants to carry on the work of his predecessor Francis
Pope Leo XIV's chosen new name signals he will continue the work of his predecessor, experts have said.
The former Cardinal, Robert Prevost, was yesterday elected as the new head of the Catholic Church following a second day of the conclave.
After white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the first American pontiff, born in Chicago, emerged from St Peter's Basilica in front of the faithful gathered at St Peter's Square.
A Vatican spokesman confirmed the choice was a reference to Leo XIII, who was the head of the Church from 1878 and 1903.
Leo XIII laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought, most famously with his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed workers' rights and capitalism at the dawn of the industrial age.
And Leo could also refer to Brother Leo, the 13th-century friar who was a great companion of St Francis of Assisi.
By choosing such a name, the new Pope could be demonstrating a continuation of the work of his predecessor Francis, Dr Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer, lecturer in global medieval and early modern history at the University of Bristol, said.
The former Cardinal, Robert Prevost, was yesterday elected as the new head of the Catholic Church following a second day of the conclave
A Vatican spokesman confirmed the choice was a reference to Leo XIII, pictured, who was the head of the Church from 1878 and 1903
Leo could also refer to Brother Leo (right), the 13th-century friar who was a great companion of St Francis of Assisi (left), it was claimed
'I think one of the most interesting things about the election of the new Pope is his choice of name,' he said.
'At first glance, it might not seem the most original choice, but it could be a symbol from the new Pope to continue the work of Francis.'
Professor Brandon Gallaher, from the University of Exeter, has said he thinks Leo XIV will be a 'Francis-like pontiff'.
'The new Pope Leo XIV is a continuity candidate to institutionalise Francis's legacy in terms of linking it to the tradition of Catholic social teaching,' he continued.
'Leo XIV shares with Francis the desire to put the peripheries in the centre and care for migrants and those who are marginalised.
'He will be a Francis-like pontiff without the intense charisma of the late pope and with a better ability to unite the Catholic factions and greater attention to the canonical details of his decisions and likely greater discipline in terms of public statements.
'The choice of Pope Leo XIV shows that Pope Francis's revolution in church life will now be institutionalised.'
Social media posts unearthed reveal the former Cardinal was critical of the Trump's administration, including as recently as February when he shared an opinion piece in which he hit out at US vice president JD Vance for being wrong about some aspects of Christian teaching.
Professor Brandon Gallaher, from the University of Exeter, said Pope Leo XIV, left, will be a 'Francis-like pontiff'
After white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the first American pontiff, born in Chicago, emerged from St Peter's Basilica in front of the faithful gathered at St Peter's Square
Social media posts unearthed reveal the former Cardinal was critical US vice president JD Vance, pictured, for being wrong about some aspects of Christian teaching
The secret conclave meeting took only around 24 hours to choose the new leader.
In his first words in the position, the new pontiff told the adoring crowd: 'Peace be with you.'
The election of the new Pope was quickly hailed as an honour and exciting time by US President Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the election as a 'deeply profound moment of joy for Catholics in the United Kingdom and globally'.
International development charity Cafod said Pope Leo 'will be a voice of wisdom in a fractured and divided world', and that his years as a missionary in Peru mean he can bring into his papacy 'the vital perspective of the global south, elevating voices from the margins to centre stage'.
Three UK cardinals took part in conclave: Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and Rome-based Cardinal Arthur Roche, as did Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who has mainly ministered in the US and been based in Rome for some years.
Only those cardinals aged under 80 were eligible to cast a ballot, and this conclave was thought to be one of the most diverse ever, representing some 70 countries.
Pope Francis had appointed some 108 of the 133 cardinals who took part in the conclave to choose his successor.
