Papal Election Research Guide

This guide lists and describes sources for researching the law of papal elections.

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Papal Name Selection

Once elected, the new Pope selects a new name. According to the Universi Dominici gregis (No. 87), the newly elected Pope is asked "By what name to you wish to be called?" The process by which a new pope announces his selected name is outlined in the Universi Dominici gregis (No. 87). The new Pope usually selects a name that has significance to his mission or to the church. For example, Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose Francis I to honor Saint Francis of Assisi.