Posted on 02/23/2013 4:42:51 PM PST by NYer
Of all the possible advice I could give to a new Pontiff, perhaps the most important would be on the subject of name selection.
I wouldn't presume to tell the new Pope what name to pick, but I feel very qualified to tell him which names not to pick. All of the names below are previous names of Popes that should not be repeated. Let's just say they would send the wrong message or offer too many opportunities to detractors.
Hilarius
Picking this name is just asking for trouble. Trust me, Holy Father, it will be very difficult for you to be taken seriously. Why give them such easy ammunition? You might as well call yourself Pope Chuckles I. Not a good idea.
Simplicius
While simplicity can be a virtue, I just don't think I could bear years of Bill Maher simpleton jokes. It is just too easy, why give it to them?
Severinus
Again, just too easy. Popes are already routinely mocked for being 'severe.' Why give them this. Besides, there is a whole segment of the population that will think the Pope is a character in a J.K. Rowling novel. The geeks and cranks will routinely photoshop the pope into black robes and long greasy hair. If we wanted that, we would just elect Ozzy Pope. So no.
Lando
Again, no geeks references. No Star Wars names, period. Sorry, Pope Luke is out too. No Pope should have to endure comparisons to Billy Dee Williams or even Darth Vader. Frankly, I am not sure which is worse.
Sisinnius
Seriously? Do I even need to explain this one? Let's just say this name makes it increasingly difficult to promote traditional marriage. Best if avoided.
(Excerpt) Read more at ncregister.com ...
While definitely a traditional guy name ("Famous warrior") it's never been that popular in English speaking countries, which have prefered the French variant "Louis".
But how did she end up with it? I'm thinking her mother must thought
For laughs: Pope Emon
But seriously, I have heard from different sources that a Pope Peter II would be THE final pope before the end times.
‘___________sense of humor.’
Agree!
‘Do you mean Pius?’
PRius, betcha - -
The Popemobile - - -
I think it’s time for a Pope George Ringo.
Pope Acura, Pope Infiniti, Pope Ferrari, Pope Alfa Romeo, Pope Maserati, Pope Mercedes, Pope Beemer, Pope Audi, etc. One could roll on and on with these names.
I would also avoid...
Gluteus Maximus (for many reasons)
Snuffauffolgus
Discus
Pertussis
Scotus
People got used to Cardinal Sin in the Philippines, so I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
“Prius” means “before” in Latin. Why would someone name himself “Pope Before”?
I thought the last one would be Sixtus VI.
The horny Pope: Sixtus IX.
Also, while names ending in -us tend to be masculine, Prius is not one of them. It is neuter. The masculine/feminine equivalent would be Prior.
Let It Be - by John Paul George & Ringo
How about Pope Spock LOL!
I’m betting on JP III. Safe, non-controversial, etc.
Malachy’s prophecies ended with the Glory of the Olives, and even THOSE prophecies turned up hundreds of years after Malachy’s death. And they became oddly vague at about the time they showed up, suggesting that the author knew from history the former popes, and was guessing at the then-future popes.
Don’t worry, ZC. Pope Adrian has nothing to do with Emperor Hadrian, or certainly the Romans could’ve kept their names identical. Hadrian was called a “good emperor” not because he was moral (he was likened to Nero) or pro-christian, but because the scandalous Macchiavelli who called him that simply thought he understood how to run an empire. The first Pope Adrian came 6 centuries later. Macchiavelli, who wrote the Prince to convince his king to abandon Corsica, admired Hadrian for solidifying his rule of those countries he could maintain, while abandoning those he could not.
Emperor Hadrian was far from the worst to the Christians, but he did continue to maintain the anti-Christian laws of emperor Nero, albeit with much less gusto.
Pope Cardacian. Attracts the younger crowd.
I thought Lando was in Babylon 5.
The Cardacians were DS9.
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