Habemus Papam: The New Pope and the Echo of Attila the Hun

A journey through history, tradition, and the paradoxes of power and humility

Pope Leo XIV (Image Source)

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In the Vatican, a white plume rose from a chimney as the words “Habemus Papam” echoed.

His name: Robert Francis Prevost…

The new pope: Pope Leo XIV!

He follows in the footsteps of the first Leo, who once faced Attila the Hun in the dusty pages of history…

They used to call Attila “The Scourge of God,” but perhaps he was just a child from whom God never took his toy…

And now, centuries later, a man bearing the same name sits in that chair.

Some mornings, you wake up to find the world has once again chosen itself…

“Habemus Papam” for Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost

On May 8, 2025, the phrase “Habemus Papam” rang out, and Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV.

The new pope is Chicago-born, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Peru, a mathematician, theologian, lawyer, and a member of the Augustinian Order.

Reading his CV puts me in a strange feeling of inadequacy.

Prevost earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Villanova University in Pennsylvania. After receiving his theology degree from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, he was sent to Rome to study canon law.

Later in his career, he taught canon law at a seminary in Trujillo, Peru.

This man studied math, pursued theology, lived in Rome, taught in Peru, and mastered church law.

Meanwhile, we still can’t decide which café to grab coffee at…

Papal Names

It’s not a strict rule, but a tradition for cardinals to adopt a new name when elected pope.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost chose “Leo XIV.”

Meanwhile, I did a bit of research; the most frequently used papal names are:

• John: 23 times
• Benedict: 16 times
• Gregory: 16 times
• Clement: 14 times
• Leo: 14 times
• Innocent: 13 times
• Pius: 12 times

And some biblical names that have never been used by any pope include Joseph, James, and Andrew.

Popes have also refrained from using the name Peter, out of respect for Saint Peter, Jesus’s apostle and the first pope.

Pope Leo XIV

The name Leo carries historical weight.

Power, leadership — even a bit of “The Lion King” aura…

The First Pope Leo once knelt before Attila and persuaded him to spare Rome.

Attila the Hun, known as the Scourge of God, is said to be the only man ever whom a pope ever knelt.

Most historians write without hesitation that in 452 AD, Attila entered Italy with an army of 100,000 via the Alps.

Pope Leo I approached Attila with a delegation and begged him to spare Rome. Many sources feared that if Attila had taken Rome, Christianity would have been eradicated.

Historians still debate whether the pope actually knelt or just stood reverently before him.

Regardless, he pleaded for mercy — and in doing so, saved Rome and the Catholic world from Attila’s wrath.

The Church views Leo I as a hero who saved Christianity, which is why his name has often been chosen during times of crisis.

But I’m fixated on something else: Attila — the Scourge of God.

Attila, the Scourge of God

What a majestic and formidable nickname, right?

Not something like “CEO” or “Professor” — but somewhat epic, divine, and intimidating.

Attila did not destroy Rome.

He could have, but he did not…

If he had wanted, he would have left no stone unturned, no head unturned.

But he didn’t.

Maybe the greatest virtue is sparing what one has the power to destroy.

Sometimes, pitying and releasing something is nobler than obliterating it. We’ll never know for sure, though in truth, we’re all skilled at inventing reasons that match how we see the world.

The Whip of God on the one hand, and the silent power of forgiveness on the other…

Attila was called the “Whip of God”, but no one tells that his greatest victory was not to destroy Rome…

The End of Attila…

The Church believed Attila had been sent by God to punish Christians for straying.

Hence, he was named The Scourge of God.

But the Scourge of God was a man who died from choking on his own blood due to a severe nosebleed on the night he married his last wife, Ildico, after drinking too much.

A man who could change the fate of the world dies over a glass of wine; perhaps that may be God’s most ironic scourge…

A hero whose life was spent on battlefields, yet who died not by sword or mace or spear, but by nosebleed. Maybe that’s the real message: Some are born to destroy, Some to forgive, And some… just to try and understand.

And Now?

Now, in that same chair sits a pope who bears the name of the one who faced Attila.

Habemus papam novum, Leonem XIV. (We have a new pope, Leo XIV)

A new hope, with an old name.

A pope is a lonely man. Because representing God isn’t easy, especially if you’re also expected to forgive the world.

Pope Leo XIV, Member of the Augustinian Order

Today, Pope Leo XIV follows the path of Saint Augustine, making him the first pope in history from the Augustinian Order (Ordo Fratrum Sancti Augustinii, or OSA).

Community, mission, humility…

Not through the intellect of Jesuits, the simplicity of Franciscans, or the passion of Dominicans —

But with a quieter, deeper path.

As if gently whispering, “Faith is not about display, but service.”

Let’s see together in the coming days how his deeds unfold…