Why Leo XIV? Pope's chosen name suggests commitment to social justice
- Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV in the 2025 papal conclave and appeared on St. Peter's balcony on May 8, 2025.
- The election followed Pope Francis' ministry, with Leo XIV choosing his name to signal continuity and a focus on social justice issues.
- The name Leo honors Pope Leo XIII, who wrote the 1891 Rerum Novarum encyclical addressing workers’ rights and capitalism during the first Industrial Revolution.
- Experts and Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni explained that choosing the name Leo reflects the Church's social teachings and highlights a focus on advancing social causes as a key priority for the new pope.
- Pope Leo XIV has pledged to continue Leo XIII’s and Francis’s work, stressing social justice's importance amid modern challenges like artificial intelligence and labor issues.
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Pope Leo XIV explains the choice of his name by his commitment to the social issue, and recalls Francis' "precious legacy"
Leo XIII "addressed the social issue in the context of the first great industrial revolution," recalled the newly elected pope on Saturday during a meeting with the College of Cardinals. Leo XIV also considered on this occasion that the Pope "is a humble servant of God and his brothers, and nothing else."

Pope Leo XIV says choice of name reflects social commitment
Pope Leo XIV said Saturday he intended to follow his predecessor's path as pontiff, praising Francis's "complete dedication to service" and explaining his name choice reflected a commitment to social causes, according to the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV Sent an Unmistakable Signal About His Commitment to Social Justice
John Nichols The new pope has taken a name that recalls Pope Leo XIII, who wrote the outline for modern Catholic social justice teaching. The post Pope Leo XIV Sent an Unmistakable Signal About His Commitment to Social Justice appeared first on The Nation.
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