What name will the new pope take?

There is an interesting article on the America Media site by Father James Martin on the choice of a papal name, and what it means:

https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/05/05/what-name-new-pope-choose-250590

 "The choice of a papal name is said to be the new pope’s first important decision. It is also the second thing we will hear from the balcony of St. Peter’s on the day of the election, after the announcement of the choice of the cardinal-electors. After the words “Habemus papam” (“We have a pope”), we will hear the cardinal’s name followed by the words “qui sibi nomen imposuit” (“who has chosen the name”). The name that follows will be on everyone’s lips for the next few years."

 

"Here are a few names that may be likely, along with some possible implications. The next pope may choose something brand new, or his choice may be out of devotion to a saint he likes. But, as ever—and as with Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who chose his name to honor St. Francis of Assisi, the apostle of the poor—his answer to the question posed to him at the end of the conclave, “What name do you choose?” will offer an early preview of his papacy."

 

"Paul VII: A steady hand to guide some of the reforms of Francis and perhaps a calming influence (that is, a Pope Paul VI to Francis’ Pope John XXIII).

Pius XIII: A desire to return to more of a “pre-conciliar” (that is, pre-Vatican II) style.

John XXIV: A continuation of a more reform-minded papacy, with a possible emphasis on the Second Vatican Council, which was convened by “Good Pope John.” Pope Francis himself joked that his successor might be John XXIV.

Francis II: Obvious. Also, for that reason, it will probably not be taken. My prediction is that the next pope may not want to be seen as a carbon copy of his predecessor.

John Paul III: A traditionalist, firm in standing against the excesses of the modern world, activist in the global political sphere.

Benedict XVII: A traditionalist, thoughtful, perhaps more focused on Europe, even on what Benedict called a “smaller, purer church.”

Leo XIV: An emphasis on Catholic social teaching and, perhaps specifically the rights of workers and the poor."

"Other options might include a nod to the founder of a religious order (four cardinal electors are members). For example, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe might choose “Dominic,” Cardinal Joseph Tobin “Alphonsus,” and Cardinal Robert Prevost “Augustine.” A newly elected pope might choose the name of a local saint (that is, from their part of the world); an ancient “church father” whose writings have been influential in their lives; a pope from the early church whose life they find inspirational; or an apostle or figure from the New Testament they feel close to (or they feel has been overlooked)."

"Finally, the new pope could simply choose to keep his baptismal name. This was the tack taken in the fictional 1960s film “The Shoes of the Fisherman” (the “Conclave” of its day) in which a Ukrainian cardinal named Kiril Lakota is asked, “By what name do you wish to be called?” He says: “We choose to be called by our own name, Kiril. He was the saint that brought the Gospels to our country.”

"In our excitement over the choice of a new pope, we should also pay attention to his first one-word message to us: his name."

"Keep praying for the cardinal electors!"

And a personal note, please keep me in your prayers. I am having surgery for endometrial cancer on May 19. It was caught early, and I am in hopes that no further treatment will be needed. The surgery is supposed to be "minimally invasive", and I should be able to go home the next day. But just the word "cancer" brings up a lot of anxiety. But I am fortunate that if I have to lose a body part, it is one that is no longer useful to me.