a new pope has been elected Options

[*Weird addiction*]

ITS OFFICIAL!!! THE BELL HAS RUNG!! A NEW POPE HAS BEEN ELECTED!! omg i'm excited....we don't know yet! but it's official!!

[avalon*]

Does anyone know how they choose the names? (like John Paul, or Pius, or Benedict)

[BeyondElite]

Congratulations to the most eminent and most reverend Lord Cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, Joseph Ratzinger, who assumes for himself the name of Benedict XVI. Long live the new Supreme Pontiff!

Below are some answers to the questions (click on the snapback buttons) by Rev. Jack Serate O.F.M. whom I communicated through eMail.

Starting in 535, the Pope has customarily chosen a new name for himself during his Pontificate; the names are not based on any system other than general honorifics, and have been based on immediate predecessors, mentors, and political similarity. For example, Pope John Paul I chose his name "John Paul I," to honor his two previous predecessors, Popes John XXIII and Paul VI. Another example is that Pope John Paul II chose the name "John Paul II," to honor his previous predecessor, Pope John Paul I. For the new Pope, Pope Benedict XVI, he chose his name "Benedict XVI" to honor the past predecessors, Benedict XI, Benedict XII, Benedict XIII, Benedict XIV and Benedict XV (There are many other more Benedicts, but those Benedicts are antipopes.)

They are not necessarily voted based of their age. If, for example, a Pope has not done that much achievements or has nothing, the College of Cardinals would much likely not to place him as a candidate nor to vote for him, or else the Roman Catholic Church would collapse. It is pretty much like a Presedential election. People are more likely to vote a candidate who will serve the country, righteously. Not a candidate who will lead the country corruptly.