4/2     Can someone explain why popes select a new name, and don't use
        their own name? Thanks.
        \- I think it's to mark a transition from "regular guy" to
           Pope ... in some cases i suppose they may pick a name
           to hint an some inclination or tribute to somebody they
           like [john paul ii was ostensibly a tribute to jp i, who
           lasted like a month]. i think it is similar to nun's taking
           a name after taking vows. Some hindu fellows pick a new name
           after becoming sadhus, so this is not an uncommon thing.
           If the new pope picks the name Pope Ali G, I will apply to
           convert to Catholicism. Big up yourself. --psb
           \_ JP II named himself after the two previous popes (Pope John and Pope Paul
              whos administrations he agreed with and wanted to continue their ideas.
           \_ JP II named himself after the two previous popes (Pope John and
              Pope Paul whos administrations he agreed with and wanted to
              continue their ideas.
              \_ Remember; there was a JP I.  So your argument is w/o merit.
              \_ JP I named himself after J XXIII who he admired, and P VI who
                 was an early supporter.  JP II named himself after JP I.
           \_ psb for pope!!!
              \- is the pope catholic? --psb i
           \_ I thought it was because he was a huge fan of John Paul
              Jones.  Yaaaarhhh!
              \_ Nope.  It's because he was a Beatles impersonator in his
                 pasttime.
           \_ Pope Alexander VI!!!1!! BEST! POPE! EVARR!!!!!11!!
              c.f. "Ballet of the Chestnuts"
              \_ No way!  Pope Formosus rocked!  Only pope to by put on trial
                 as an embalmed cadaver.
                 \_ Dude. Pope Hilarius. You can't beat a name like that.
              \_ Dude, Alexander Pope rocked them all!
                   "Fondly we think we honor merit then,
                    When we but praise ourselves in other men."
        \_ I believe it started because there was a Pope named Mercurius and
           he thought it was unseemmly to remain named after a pagan god while
           he's the pope.  It gradually became a tradition.  I think there
           was a span of like 700 years from first renaming to last non-rename.
           \_ Why dont you just post the google link?
              \_ Goto wikipedia.
              \_ not every bit of trivia/knowledge is the result of a
                 google search --!op
                 \_ If you know this, you know this, and you dont need the
                    "I believe" and "I think".
                    \_ Yes, Mrs. Grammarian.
                       \_ That's Ms. Grammarian to YOU.