What Name Will the New Pope Choose? Pope Leo XIV Elected as 267th Pontiff
The successor to Pope Francis was chosen Thursday, and Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago chose Pope Leo XIV as his papal name while being revealed outside of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
"Leo" had a 9% chance of being the new pope's papal name via Kalshi as of Thursday morning.
🕊️ What will the next pope's name be?
Here is how Kalshi's prediction trading market listed the options for the new pope's papal name as of Thursday morning. Cardinal Robert Prevost ultimately chose Pope Leo XIV.
If you're in the U.S., you can make predictions on the next pope via Kalshi. Join now and get a $10 bonus. 18+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
- Other (37%)
- John (14%)
- Leo (9%)
- Francis (8%)
- John Paul - must be both names (8%)
- Pius (8%)
- Benedict (5%)
- Clement (5%)
- Gregory (3%)
- Urban (3%)
- Paul (2%)
- Alexander (<1%)
- Boniface (<1%)
- Innocent (1%)
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❓ Why do popes choose a new name?
The tradition began in 533 A.D. when Pope John II (born Mercurius) chose not to keep his pagan birth name. Since then, every pope has adopted a papal name to reflect:
- Spiritual inspiration
- Tribute to a past pope or saint
- The vision or tone for their papacy
✝️ How is the name chosen?
- After being elected in the Sistine Chapel, the new pope is asked, "By what name shall you be called?"
- He chooses the name immediately - sometimes spontaneously, sometimes after long consideration
- The Cardinal Protodeacon then announces the new name from the balcony with the iconic “Habemus Papam” ("We have a pope")
📜 Examples & meanings
- Pope Francis (2013): Chose the name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, symbolizing humility and care for the poor
- Pope John Paul II: Honored his predecessor John Paul I while emphasizing continuity
- Pope Benedict XVI: Evoked Benedict XV, a peace-seeking pope during WWI, and St. Benedict, founder of Western monasticism
🔮 Predictions for the new pope
- Updated new pope betting odds
- What name will the new pope choose?
- When next pope will be chosen AI prediction
- New pope betting odds
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