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Why does a newly elected pope choose a papal name?

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Cardinals of the Catholic Church, dressed in red, sit at long tables in the Sistine Chapel during the 2005 papal election conclave, surrounded by ornate frescoed walls. — papal conclave Cardinals assembled inside the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican Palace for a conclave to elect a new pope; Vatican City, 2005.

A newly elected pope chooses a papal name to signal the tone, intentions, and inspirations of his upcoming pontificate. This symbolic act, performed immediately after consenting to his election, provides the faithful with insight into how he intends to lead the Roman Catholic Church.1234

While there is no formal requirement to adopt a new name—the last pope to retain his baptismal name was Marcellus II in 1555—the tradition is deeply established. By selecting a name, a pope often pays homage to his predecessors or honors saints whose values he wishes to emulate. For instance, Pope Francis chose his name to honor St. Francis of Assisi, reflecting a commitment to poverty and peace, while Benedict XVI selected his name to link his papacy to the legacy of Benedict XV, a noted healer of global wounds.13