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[–] 17 points 1 week ago (3 children)

It's just tradition. Early popes used their own names. The tradition started in the 6th century because an elected pope was named Mercurius after the Roman god and he thought it was bad PR to keep it. The last pope to use his birth name was in the 16th century (Marcello II)

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  • [–] 6 points 1 week ago (2 children)

    Yeah. To add to what your said, the tradition of taking on a new name has become a political statement in its own right. The name is a reflection on how the Pope intends to lead.

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