How Does a Pope Choose His Name?

[ad_1] The new pope has an important decision to make after accepting the position: What will his name be? His choice will offer one of the first signals of the direction his pontificate might take. There are no set rules, though popes tend to look to history and select a name with personal meaning. They…

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Friday Briefing: The First American Pope

[ad_1] An American was elected pope Robert Prevost was elected yesterday as the new pope to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. He took the papal name Leo XIV and greeted a cheering crowd of followers at St. Peter’s Square by saying, “Peace be with you.” The choice of an American to be pope was…

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The Real Stars of the Papal Conclave: Seagulls

[ad_1] Three sea gulls, including a chick, were possibly the first beings on earth to learn that a new pope had been elected on Thursday. Minutes before white smoke bellowed out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel — a sign that the conclave had ended with a winner — the birds flew in and…

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