Why the new pope has chosen to be called Leon XIV

The new pope could have chosen a saint which allowed him to assert his pastoral line. François, for example, opta for Saint Francis of Assisi to indicate his marked preference to the poor and to creation.

The new pope could also have adopted a name similar to his predecessor, to pay tribute to the latter-as did this reason Jean-Paul II, while his sick predecessor could only occupy the charge.

The new pope could also have taken the name of a Pope more remote in time, to assert his desire to reactivate strong points of this pope, as did Benoît XVI. The latter admired Benoît XV, the Pope of Peace during the First World War.

This is therefore what seems to have decided to make the Cardinal States Robert Francis Prevost by choosing Léon XIV. While waiting for him to detail the reasons for this choice, we can engage in supputations by leaning over the last Pope Léon, Léon XIII (1878-1903).

Léon XIII has often been described as a pope of reconciliation with modernity. He was fully aware of the challenges of his time. He denounced the excesses of capitalism – while condemning socialism – and defends workers, demanding a fair salary for these workers and a limitation of working time. Its encyclical of 1891, Rerum novarumfounded the social doctrine of the Church.

It is likely that Cardinal Prevost thus wishes to mark his attention for the poor, in the line of Pope Francis. He also resumed, during his presentation speech, the rhetoric of Pope Francis on the bridges that Christians must build. And he publicly thanked his predecessor.

Léon XIII was also a man of reason and science, who made scholars and scientists. Is it for the point that Cardinal PREVOST has registered in his footsteps, at a time when science is attacked from all sides in his country? In any case, it seems to have decided to kiss what modernity has brought better in this world.