On May 8th, the world held its breath as Cardinal Robert Prevost emerged from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. At 69, the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church made history as the first American-born pope, but adopted a name that stirred echoes of the past: Leo, or lion in Latin.
Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.
After the white smoke dissipated and the Latin proclamation Habemus Papam ran through the square, the importance of a chosen name rolled in the back of my head. For a pope, a queen, an actor—or even this writer—a name is more than just a moniker. It's a story, a declaration, a whisper of legacy. Choosing a name is like writing the opening of your epic. Your name announces your pronounce far before you even walk into the room.
Related: LGBTQ+ Catholic organization's leader says he's 'hopeful' about Pope Leo XIV
Leo XIV. It rolls off the tongue with a hint of regal flourish. But for those who don't know their papal history, the name Leo is not just a choice but a nod to a legacy intertwined with social justice and reform.
The most recent Leo, Pope Leo XIII, reigned from 1878 to 1903, a tenure that stretched across the turn of the 20th century. Born Gioacchino Vincenzo Raffaele Luigi Pecci, Leo XIII was known as the 'Social Pope' and the 'Pope of the Workers.' In a time when industrialization swept across the world, leaving a trail of inequality and unrest, Leo XIII stepped forward, not back. His 1891 treatise, Rerum Novarum, boldly asserted workers' rights to fair wages and safe working conditions, championing what many recognize as the first steps toward modern Catholic social teaching.
Leo XIII's advocacy was not just performative for a man born into relative prosperity. If this was the legacy of the last Pope Leo, what does it mean for Leo XIV?
Names, after all, are never just names. They're laden with expectation and promise, with the spectre of those who carried them before. When I chose my names, it wasn't simply sounding nice but an echo of every woman in my lineage who lived, ruled, and left something behind. For Leo XIV, choosing his name is his first act of leadership. Before he speaks, decrees, or blesses, he is Leo—the lion, the bold, the just.
Or, at least, that's what the world hopes.
But what of the man behind the name? Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is a name not often uttered in global headlines. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he spent much of his ecclesiastical career in South America, serving in Peru. His work focused on pastoral care, community development, and indigenous rights. His reputation precedes him as a compassionate leader, a bridge builder, and a listener. Though his record may not carry the same LGBTQ+ stance as his predecessor, LGBTQ+ Catholics remain hopeful of the new pope. Meanwhile, as his alleged tweets emerge, Pope Leo may be the best leader to attack Donald Trump's regime of hostility toward the marginalized.
In 2025, the world is, in many ways, not so different from 1891. Workers' rights, income inequality, and social justice remain as relevant now as they were. A name like Leo comes with expectations, whether Prevost intended it or not. To choose the name of the lion is to invoke a spirit of boldness, of righteous advocacy. If Leo XIII was the 'Pope of the Workers,' then what will Leo XIV be? The 'People's Pope'? The 'Pope of the Marginalized'? Or something else entirely?
Once thing is for certain, within the heart of that calm and genteel silhouette is the heart of a lion. Because a name is never just a name; it's a legacy waiting to be written.
And the world is ready to read.
Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Visit Advocate.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists, and editors, and do not directly represent the views of The Advocate or our parent company, equalpride.
