VATICAN, Italy – Pope Leo XIV has already held his first Mass as pontiff with the College of Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel.
It is at the Sistine Chapel, the exact site where the 133 cardinal electors chose him as the 267th Pope on the fourth ballot the evening prior.
In his homily, the newly elected pope called for cultivating a better personal relationship with Christ, and he insisted that, without faith, life lacks meaning.
“We are called to bear witness to our joyful faith in Christ the Saviour,” said the new pope in his sermon.
The Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Monsignor Diego Giovanni Ravelli, acting as notary, has officially drawn a document confirming that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has accepted the election, canonically making him Supreme Pontiff and the name he has chosen.
Written in Latin, the name Leo XIV appears in red.
Against this background, Y News looks at the reason behind this name, Leo.
Leo I (Leo the Great) – 440–461
He was one of the greatest popes in history.
Stopped Attila in 452, convincing him not to sack Rome.
Strengthened papal authority, affirming the primacy of the bishop of Rome (Petrine Primacy).
He also fought heresies and wrote the “Tome to Flavian”.
Leo II – 682–683
He confirmed the decisions of the Third Council of Constantinople (680–681), which condemned the Monothelite heresy.
A short but important pontificate for doctrinal orthodoxy.
Leo III – 795–816
Crowned Charlemagne Emperor (800).
His coronation marked the birth of the Holy Roman Empire.
He also survived an assassination attempt and was defended by Charlemagne.
Leo IV – 847–855
Protected Rome from the Saracens, building the Leonine Walls (Vatican walls).
Consecrated the Basilica of San Clemente.
Leo V – 903
A very brief pontificate (about 2 months).
Unfortunately, he was deposed and assassinated during Roman factional struggles.
Leo VI – 928
The pontiff reigned for only 7 months during a chaotic period (the “Saeculum Obscurum”).
Had little influence, dominated by Roman aristocratic families.
Leo VII—936–939
He tried to reform monasteries with the help of Odo of Cluny.
And even attempted to mediate between Roman factions.
Leo VIII – 963–965
Controversial Pope: imposed by Emperor Otto I after deposing John XII.
His pontificate was disputed (some consider him an antipope).
Leo IX – 1049–1054
He is remembered as the great reformer and warrior pope.
Initiated the Gregorian Reform (fight against simony and clerical concubinage).
During his pontificate occurred the Great Schism of the East (1054)
Leo X – 1513–1521
Better referred to as the Renaissance Pope (Medici).
Son of Lorenzo the Magnificent, a great patron of the arts (financed Michelangelo and Raphael).
Excommunicated Martin Luther (1521), triggering the Protestant Reformation
Leo XI – 1605
He served as pope for only 26 days (one of the shortest pontificates).
Called the “Lightning Pope” due to his sudden death.
Leo XII—1823–1829
He ruled in a post-Napoleonic restoration era.
Imposed strict moral rules (e.g., closure of theatres and suppression of Carnival).
Leo XIII—1878–1903
Wrote the famous social encyclical “Rerum Novarum” (1891), a cornerstone of the Church’s social doctrine.
Promoted dialogue between faith and science; opened the Vatican archives.
Curiosities about the Popes named Leo
Leo I, IX, and XIII are considered the most important.
Leo X is famous for the indulgence scandal that triggered Luther.
Leo VIII is one of the few popes whose status is still debated (legitimate pope or antipope?).
Leo XI holds the record for the shortest pontificate among the Leos (26 days).
And so, we finally arrive at
Pope Leo XIV
Cardinal Robert Prevost, elected on May 8, 2025, chose a name in continuity with Leo XIII, remembered for his encyclical Rerum Novarum, which for the first time addressed the social question and labour in the modern era.
The name a pope chooses reveals the spirit, direction, and vision of his pontificate.
And it is precisely in his predecessors that we can glimpse the orientation of the new pope.
