Why do people elected as pope take new names? And who decides what name they will take?

picqero

They don't have to take new names, but usually do so in honour of a saint or a previous pope or popes. Some popes have kept their birth names. The decision on which papal name to choose is their own. Apr 20 05, 2:50 AM

lanfranco

The first Pope to take a new name was John II in 533. His original name, Mercurius, had pagan connotations. The last to keep his name was Marcello Cervini, who became Marcellus II in 1555. This is a very good site on the whole election process: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_election Apr 20 05, 7:16 AM

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