Choosing the new name of the new pope

I remember a few years ago dreaming that there had been a papal election and the new pope was a very young man who chose the name Clement.

Now, I’m just putting that up there, so that if we get a Clement out of this conclave, ya’ll know I had a dream about it – although I am pretty sure we will not get a ‘very young’ pope.

The bookies have made Benedict XVI the favourite to be the new pope’s chosen name.

Whoever wins (including himself) Cardinal Ratzinger, as dean of the College of Cardinals, will announce the result and ask the winner his chosen name. Also favoured are Clement, Leo and Pius.

The new pope has used a chosen name since John II in 533, who thought his given name of Mercury unsuitable.