What's in a 'papal name' and what the new pope's choice could mean for the church

The significance of a papal name lies in its symbolic power and the message it sends about a new pope’s intentions, priorities, and the direction he hopes to set for the Catholic Church. When a new pope is elected, one of his first acts is to choose a new name. It’s a tradition dating back to the early Middle Ages. This name is not required by doctrine but has become a deeply rooted custom. The chosen name often honours a saint, a previous pope, or a particular legacy the new pontiff