You might have seen the name popping up in Twitter threads or obscure theological forums lately. Pope Leo XIV. It sounds official. It sounds like someone who should be sitting in the Apostolic Palace right now, maybe drafting an encyclical about AI or climate change. But here is the thing: if you search the official Vatican registry, you won't find him. There is no Pope Leo XIV. At least, not in the real world.
The Catholic Church is currently led by Pope Francis. Before him was Benedict XVI. Before that, the legendary John Paul II. We haven't had a "Leo" since 1903.
So why are people talking about a fourteenth Leo? Basically, it’s a mix of historical longing, fictional storytelling, and some very specific "sedevacantist" claims that exist on the fringes of the faith. It’s a rabbit hole. Honestly, it’s one of the most interesting examples of how Catholic history and modern internet culture collide to create "fake news" that feels surprisingly real.
Where did the name Pope Leo XIV actually come from?
To understand the confusion, we have to look at the "Leos" who actually existed. The name is heavy. It carries weight. When a man is elected Pope, he chooses a regnal name to signal his vision. Pope Leo XIII, who died in the early 20th century, was a titan. He wrote Rerum Novarum, the document that basically invented modern Catholic social teaching. He was the first Pope to be filmed. He was the first to have his voice recorded.
Because Leo XIII was such a massive figure—a bridge between the old medieval world and the industrial age—many Catholics have spent a century wondering when we will get a successor to that legacy.
But the actual "Leo XIV" you find online usually comes from one of two places. First, there's the world of fiction. In Malachi Martin's novels, specifically Vatican: A Novel, he imagines the inner workings of the Church through fictionalized popes. Authors love the name Leo because it sounds "Pope-ish." It’s short, it’s Latin for lion, and it screams authority.
Then, there’s the weirder side of the internet.
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The "Popes" outside of Rome
There is a small, very intense world of "conclavism." These are groups who believe the modern Papacy in Rome is invalid—usually because they think the reforms of the 1960s (Vatican II) were heretical. Some of these groups have literally held their own elections in basements or hotel conference rooms.
They elect their own "popes."
Often, these men choose the name Leo XIV to claim a connection back to the "true" pre-modern Church of Leo XIII. For example, there have been various claimants in Europe and South America who have used this title. They aren't recognized by the billion-plus Catholics in the world, but they have websites. They have social media. And because they use the title "Pope Leo XIV," they show up in search results, confusing the heck out of everyone who just wants to know who is in charge of the Vatican.
It's kinda wild when you think about it. You have a guy in a small town somewhere wearing white robes and calling himself the Bishop of Rome, while the actual Pope is busy meeting with world leaders.
The "Prophecy of the Popes" and the Leo obsession
You can't talk about future popes without mentioning St. Malachy. Now, historians will tell you the "Prophecy of the Popes" is almost certainly a 16th-century forgery. It’s a list of 112 short Latin phrases that supposedly describe every pope from the 12th century until the end of the world.
Even though it's likely fake, people are obsessed with it.
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According to the list, we are at the end. After the "Glory of the Olive" (which people linked to Benedict XVI), the list ends with "Peter the Roman." There is no Leo XIV on the list. This has led to some pretty intense debates in traditionalist circles. Some argue that if the list is wrong, perhaps the next "restorer" of the Church will be a Leo.
Why Leo? Because in Catholic symbolism, the Lion is the tribe of Judah. It represents strength. After decades of what some see as "soft" leadership, there is a vocal segment of the Church that is practically begging for a Leo XIV to show up and lay down the law. They want a lion.
What would a real Pope Leo XIV look like?
If the College of Cardinals actually met tomorrow and elected a man who took the name Leo XIV, it would be a massive geopolitical signal. Popes don't pick names by accident.
- A Return to Tradition: Picking "Leo" would be a direct nod to the 19th-century papacy. It would suggest a focus on dogma, clear boundaries, and perhaps a more confrontational stance toward modern secularism.
- Social Justice: Remember, Leo XIII was the "Pope of the Workers." A new Leo might focus on the digital economy, gig work, and the "new" poor of the 21st century.
- Diplomatic Strength: Historically, the Leos were negotiators. Leo the Great famously met Attila the Hun to talk him out of sacking Rome. A modern Leo would likely be someone with heavy-hitting diplomatic experience.
The reality, though, is that the name hasn't been used in over 120 years. That’s a long time. In the Church, names go in and out of fashion. For centuries, we had nothing but Piuses and Gregorys. Then we had a string of "John Pauls."
Why this matters for the average person
It’s easy to dismiss this as niche religious trivia. But the search for "Pope Leo XIV" tells us a lot about how information—and misinformation—spreads in 2026.
We live in an era where "alternative" histories are just a click away. When someone sees a headline about a "Pope Leo XIV," they might not realize they are looking at a fictional character from a 1980s thriller or a claimant from a tiny schismatic sect. The Church is an ancient institution, but its identity is being constantly reshaped by how it's discussed online.
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The "Leo XIV" phenomenon is basically a digital ghost. He is the pope people either fear or hope for, a placeholder for whatever someone thinks the Church should be.
Facts to keep straight:
- Current Pope: Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio).
- Last Leo: Leo XIII (died 1903).
- Leo XIV status: Strictly fictional or used by non-Vatican "antipopes."
- Next Conclave: No one knows when it will happen or what the next guy will call himself.
Actionable steps for verifying Catholic news
If you encounter claims about "Pope Leo XIV" or any other unfamiliar papal name, here is how to handle it without getting sucked into a conspiracy hole.
Check the Vatican Press Office website (vatican.va). If it isn't there, it isn't official. The Church is many things, but it isn't secretive about who the Pope is. They literally use smoke signals to tell the world.
Verify the source of the "Leo" claim. Is it a news site, or is it a site belonging to a "Traditionalist" group that doesn't recognize the current Vatican leadership? Groups like the SSPX or various Sedevacantist organizations have their own hierarchies that don't align with Rome.
Distinguish between "Regnal Names" and "Birth Names." Sometimes people get confused when a Cardinal with a certain name is mentioned. No Cardinal is currently named Leo, but any of them could choose the name upon election.
Understand that "Antipopes" are a real historical and modern thing. Throughout history, there have been dozens of men who claimed to be Pope while the real one was in office. Modern ones usually just have better websites than their medieval predecessors.
Don't get caught up in "The Prophecy of St. Malachy." It's fun for historical fiction, but the Church doesn't recognize it as scripture or even reliable private revelation. It's essentially "Da Vinci Code" territory—entertaining, but not a roadmap for the future of the Papacy.
The name Pope Leo XIV remains a blank slate. Whether it stays in the realm of fiction and fringe groups or eventually becomes the title of the 267th Bishop of Rome is something only a future conclave can decide. For now, he remains the most famous Pope who never was.