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To: MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
The last pope to have a name not borne by any of his predecessors was Landus, elected in 913. The last one with a "II" after his name, other than John Paul II, was Marcellus II in 1555.

A couple of names with a long papal history which haven't been used for a while are Leo and Gregory. I don't know how much popes think about the previous holders of a name before selecting it--the last pope Leo was well-regarded but not so Leo X (elected 500 years ago in 1513). Maybe it helps if one or more earlier popes with that name was canonized.

There are some names which belonged to apostles which have never been used: Andrew, James, Philip, Thomas. There was an antipope Philip but he doesn't count.

Urban might be a good name, in honor of Urban II, who started the First Crusade, as a signal to Muslims...but since the Crusaders killed a lot of Jews too that name may be problematic.

I don't think anyone will use John again soon out of respect for John XXIII. I definitely would not expect any pope to pick Peter as a name.

42 posted on 02/11/2013 1:22:45 PM PST by Verginius Rufus
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To: Verginius Rufus
Urban might be a good name

What about Pope Suburban? The Holy See could sell naming rights to Chevrolet.

49 posted on 02/11/2013 1:41:41 PM PST by Romulus
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To: Verginius Rufus

“There was an antipope Philip but he doesn’t count.”

Antipope Barack doesn’t count either.


58 posted on 02/11/2013 1:59:21 PM PST by RedStateNotShirt
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