As crowds celebrated in St. Peter's Square, a man in white and red stepped onto the balcony of the basilica, prompting cheers from the plaza.

It was American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost: Pope Leo XIV, as he will now be known. On May 8, 2025 - the second day of the conclave following Pope Francis' death - the College of Cardinals selected him to lead the Catholic Church.

In the days to come, people may pore over videos of those first few minutes of Leo's papacy, analyzing everything from his vestments and multilingual speech to his choice of papal name. Appearing on the balcony of St. Peter's is a pope's first appearance - a tradition full of symbolism.

I am a scholar who studies Roman Catholic theology and history. I am particularly interested in how popes exercise authority and leadership today, including their use of symbols.

When Francis first appeared on that balcony in 2013, he used four aspects of the ritual to convey a message about his intentions for his papacy. Leo, too, adapted symbols of the ritual - and time will tell how much of his own intentions he showed.

What's in a name?

Since the sixth century C.E., new bishops of Rome have often taken a new name. Jorge Mario Bergoglio opted for "Francis," the first pope to do so.

It refers to Francis of Assisi, an Italian saint who lived at the turn of the 13th century who was renowned for his simplicity, poverty, concern for the Earth and desire to imitate Jesus. Over the next 12 years, these traits proved central to his papacy.

Prevost chose "Leo," making him the 14th pope to bear that name.

Which Leo is the new pope referring to as his model? Probably more than one. One of the most significant Pope Leos, however, was the most recent. Leo XIII was pope from 1878-1903, and is particularly remembered for his writings on social justice, economics, politics and labor, which have grounded Catholic social teaching for more than 100 years.

Leo XIII is also credited for promoting Thomas Aquinas, the important medieval theologian and saint, as the model for Catholic theology and its response to the modern world.

Not a king

On the balcony, Francis wore simple white papal garments instead of the more elaborate adornments worn by some of his predecessors. He wore his old, simple cross across his chest, rather than a new, more luxurious one.

Popes have worn white garments as a symbol of their office for centuries. But many of them also used symbols of monarchy, such as the triple papal tiara or crown. Pope Paul VI, whose papacy was from 1963-1978, was the last to wear the tiara and to have a coronation ceremony. The following year, he sold the crown and donated the proceeds to emphasize the church's commitment to the poor.

Later popes have followed Paul's example of avoiding royal symbolism, such as by no longer using a "sedia gestatoria," the portable throne that traditionally carried the pope in formal processions. Francis took this trend even further and made simplicity of dress and lifestyle a hallmark of his time in office.

When he appeared on the balcony, Leo returned to the tradition of popes before Francis by wearing the "mozzetta," a short cape, and the gold cross offered to a pope when he accepts the office - showing somewhat more continuity with his predecessors.

Bishop of Rome

When Francis first addressed the crowd in St. Peter's, he described himself as the new bishop of Rome.

In Catholicism, the pope holds many titles representing the scope and duties of his office. For starters, he is not only the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church but "sovereign of the State of Vatican City."

In terms of religious titles, some accentuate the pope's authority. "Vicar of Christ," for example, means he is Jesus' representative on Earth. Others, such as "servus servorum Dei" - "servant of the servants of God" - emphasize his role as a support to other bishops and ministers of the church.

Francis certainly did not deny the traditional authority of the pope's office. However, he chose to identify himself first as the local bishop of the diocese of Rome, emphasizing how even the pope was first part of a local community. In the official Vatican yearbook for 2020, Francis listed his only title as "Bishop of Rome" and listed the rest as "historic."

When the new Pope Leo addressed the crowd, he described himself as the "successor of Peter," the first pope. Like Francis before him, he also referred to the pope's role as "bishop of Rome," quoting the early church theologian St. Augustine: "For you I am a bishop, with you I am a Christian." This identifies him first as a fellow Christian - and in that sense, not just a leader above his flock.

'Pray for me'

Francis asked the assembled crowd to pray for him before he offered his first papal blessing.

Traditionally, popes making their first appearance would offer a blessing to the people gathered in St. Peter's Square. Francis took this ritual and reversed it. In harmony with his views on simplicity and his role as the bishop of Rome, he emphasized the mutual connection between him and the people. He downplayed the view of the pope as a hierarchical ruler above the people.

Leo concluded his address to the crowd with the traditional blessing in Latin, addressed "to the city and to the world." He did not ask, as Francis did, that the crowd bless him first.

In some ways, it seems like Leo's symbolic message was "I am not Francis," emphasizing his continuity with previous popes. Yet in his address, he clearly praised and thanked Francis, and invoked his predecessor's emphasis on "synodality": a church where all Catholics walk together. He repeated Francis's message that the Christian message should call to and include everyone.

Perhaps it is better to say that Leo's first appearance on the balcony meant: "I am not Francis, but Francis' vision will continue."

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