2025 News UMass Law: Duncan Interviewed on What’s in a Pope’s Name?

Professor Dwight Duncan was interviewed for his thoughts on papal name selection.

Since the passing of Pope Francis in late April, the world has been waiting patiently for the papal conclave to select a new pope and for the new pope to choose a name. The pope’s choice of name can send a message about what he will strive for in his papacy, whether that be a name that pays homage to past popes, such as John, Benedict, or Paul, or a completely new name.

The National Catholic Register interviewed UMass Law Professor Dwight Duncan for his thoughts on the pope’s name selection in the days before the new pope was announced.

“It’s amazing the names that have not been used,” Duncan said in the interview. Of the now 267 popes to date, 129 have chosen original names. “I’d like to see a name not used yet, like Joseph…I think Philip would be a really good one,” he added, “because Philip Neri is the apostle of Rome during the Renaissance and Reformation,” referring to the 16th-century priest who founded the Congregation of the Oratory. Duncan also suggested the names Matthew, Luke, and Lawrence as possibilities.

Subsequent to his interview, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected pope, and he chose the name Pope Leo XIV.