Reside updates: Conclave elects Cardinal Robert Prevost to be Pope

Leo is now tied for the fourth most typical identify chosen by popes, together with Clement. Solely John, Gregory and Benedict have confirmed extra common.

However we haven’t had a Pope Leo in additional than a century.

The final Pope Leo was Leo XIII, who was born in French-occupied Rome in 1810. He served as pope from 1878 till his loss of life in 1903, making his 25-year papacy the fourth longest within the church’s historical past.

Leo XIII is remembered as a pope of Catholic social instructing. He wrote a well-known open letter in 1891, reflecting on the technological adjustments wrought by the Industrial Revolution and its influence on staff.

In selecting to revive the identify, Leo XIV could also be signaling the priorities for his papacy.

The primary Pope Leo, who served within the fifth century, is named “Leo the Nice,” and is remembered for persuading Attila the Hun to halt his invasion and spare the Roman Empire from destruction.

Their assembly was captured in a portray by Raphael, which is now displayed within the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, which the 133 voting cardinals — together with Robert Prevost, now Leo XIV — handed via as they proceeded into the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday for the beginning of the conclave.

The identify Leo derives from the Latin for “lion,” suggesting power and braveness.

In his tackle from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo XIV mentioned the church can nonetheless hear “the weak however at all times brave voice of Pope Francis,” his predecessor.