What name would you like, Mr. President?

The world is getting to know a new pope, the first one ever from the United States. He has chosen Leo as his official papal name, but he originally comes from Chicago, where people knew him as “Father Bob.’ Having come from a Lutheran family myself, I still don’t know a whole lot about popes, and I’m not trying to criticize one church or another. I’m just a bit curious. Suppose he had chosen to be called “Pope Robert,” would that be too unusual and offensive for the church?

I know that some monarchs adopt different names, when they take the throne. Queen Elizabeth’s father was mainly known as Albert before becoming king, but when he inherited the throne, he became George the 6th, in honor of his father of the same name. What would it be like if the U.S. allowed presidents to choose names and numbers, like kings and popes do? We’ve had recent one-of-a-kind presidents named Donald, Joseph, and Barack, following leaders with more royal-sounding names, George and William. I suppose having American leaders keep their names is one way of setting them apart from the popes, and the kings. But you never know when somebody in Washington might decide letting presidents choose their names isn’t such a bad idea. Not any time soon, I’m sure.