The Pope and the Power of the Name He Picks (Father Simon Says)

Fr. Simon explains why our new Holy Father didn't go with something like "John Paul III" or "Francis II", and it probably wasn’t just to keep things fresh. Pope Leo choosing a name like Leo XIV was a way of avoiding Church faction drama. In fact, Fr. Simon sees it as a savvy move: Pope Leo XIII once guided the Church through the Industrial Revolution, and now Leo XIV steps in during the AI revolution. 🤖🧠 Smart? Very. Humble? Absolutely. And this is deeply rooted in the mission of the Church. Fr. Simon also clears up a fun bit of papal trivia: Does a Pope have to pick a new name? No! There’s no law saying he can’t stick with his baptismal name. It’s just tradition.   And one more gem 💎: Fr. Simon drops the classic Vatican line: “He who enters the conclave a Pope comes out a cardinal.” Translation: If you go into the conclave thinking you’re definitely going to be chosen as the next Pope… the Holy Spirit probably has other plans. 😅 The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.