Pope Pietro Francis II (FRANCISII)

The late pontiff was the first ever to style himself Pope Francis, a name chosen in honour of the 13th-century saint St Francis of Assisi.
Even before the next pope speaks to the faithful for the first time, his chosen name could give a clue as to the direction of his papacy.

When Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose the name Francis in 2013, he aligned himself with Francis of Assisi, a 13th-century saint known for his humility. In the spirit of this name, his papacy was marked by a concern for the marginalised.

“Even now, as we are waiting for the new pope, the name with which he will present himself will help us to understand the horizon towards which he wants to proceed,” said Reverend Roberto Regoli, a historian at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University.

The papal name of the Catholic Church’s new leader will be revealed shortly after he is elected by his fellow cardinals at the conclave, the voting process which begins on Wednesday.