A short history of other popes named Leo

Cardinal Robert Prevost chose the papal name Leo XIV. What direction will his papacy take? Pope Francis left the Church more divided than he found it, so we wonder if

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Cardinal Robert Prevost chose the papal name Leo XIV. What direction will his papacy take? Pope Francis left the Church more divided than he found it, so we wonder if our new pope will be a divisive, Francis II-like figure. But Pope Leo has given us two signs to the contrary. First, unlike Pope Francis, Pope Leo appeared on the balcony in full papal regalia. Second, of course, he chose the papal name Leo, meaning “lion,” which symbolizes strength and bravery. It is worth looking at some previous popes named Leo and their impact on unity in the Church.