The first pope to change his name was the Roman-born 56th pope, John II, elected in the year 533, who felt that using his birth name – Mercurius ...

American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, making history as the first U.S. pontiff. Faith leaders nationwide shared prayers for his leadership of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis, 266th occupant of the throne of St. Peter, has died Pope Francis, orginally of Argentina, succeeded Pope Benedict XVI, the first pope to retire in six centuries.

Pope Leo XIV is a man of many firsts; apart from being the first American-born pope, he is also the first pope to be an Augustinian. Those who do not practice Catholicism may not know what this means.

Pope Francis, who became the first South American and first Jesuit to ascend to the most powerful position in the Catholic Church, has died at age 88 — just one day after Easter Sunday.

The first pope was St. Peter, after whom St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City is named. St. Peter wasn't elected, however, being said by the church to have been appointed by Christ.