Why would Cardinal Jackson choose the name Ezekiel I?

Because the prophet Ezekiel represents spiritual renewal, restoration, and visionary leadership. Jackson likely sees this as the direction the Church must take—reviving faith in a spiritually dry world.

Has there ever been a Pope Ezekiel before?

No. If elected, Cardinal Jackson would be the first in history to take this name, making it a powerful symbolic statement about the uniqueness of his vision for the papacy.

Is Cardinal Jackson likely to be elected?

While conclave results are unpredictable, Jackson is considered a serious contender due to his international experience, theological insight, and support from various wings of the Church.

Cardinal Jackson, Frontrunner in the Conclave, Could Become Pope Ezekiel I

As anticipation builds for the upcoming papal conclave, one name continues to resonate within the corridors of the Vatican: Cardinal Elias Jackson. The 68-year-old American cardinal has quickly emerged as a frontrunner among the College of Cardinals. Revered for his humility, theological depth, and innovative approach to evangelization, Jackson has already made headlines with a bold promise: if elected, he will choose the papal name Ezekiel I.

This unexpected revelation has stirred global interest and sparked debate among both faithful and media observers. Who is Cardinal Jackson? What does the name Ezekiel signify? And what would a Jackson papacy look like for the future of the Catholic Church?

A New Name, A Prophetic Vision

The name Ezekiel I is unprecedented. Never before in the 2,000-year history of the papacy has a pontiff chosen this prophetic name. The prophet Ezekiel is known in the Bible for his powerful visions, dramatic symbolism, and calls for renewal and restoration among the people of God. Choosing this name suggests that Cardinal Jackson sees his potential papacy as one of spiritual reform, bold communication, and global renewal.

In a rare pre-conclave statement shared through his close aides, Jackson reportedly said:

“If the Lord wills and I am chosen, I will take the name Ezekiel. Like the prophet, I feel called to speak to dry bones and call them back to life.”

This choice of name has been interpreted by Vatican analysts as a sign of his intent to revitalize the Church in an era marked by secularism, internal division, and declining vocations in the West.

Who Is Cardinal Elias Jackson?

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1957, Elias Jackson grew up in a devout Catholic family of mixed African-American and Creole heritage. He attended Jesuit High School and went on to study philosophy and theology at Georgetown University, followed by a doctorate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome.

Ordained in 1985, he quickly became known for his charismatic preaching and pastoral work in some of the poorest neighborhoods of New Orleans. He later served as a missionary bishop in Nigeria for five years, working closely with communities affected by poverty and religious violence. There, he developed deep ties with African bishops and learned to celebrate Mass in Igbo and Yoruba.

In 2009, he was appointed Archbishop of Atlanta, where he initiated bold reforms in seminary education, expanded diocesan outreach programs, and launched a multilingual digital evangelization platform that attracted millions of young Catholics across North and South America.

Pope Benedict XVI elevated him to the rank of cardinal in 2012, making him one of the youngest American cardinals at the time. Since then, he has served on various Vatican congregations, including the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and the Dicastery for Communication.

His Theology: Bold, Rooted, Compassionate

Cardinal Jackson is often described as a bridge-builder between tradition and progress. His homilies draw richly from Scripture while incorporating modern insights on science, technology, and global culture. He has spoken openly about issues such as:

Clerical abuse, advocating for stricter accountability and lay involvement in church governance.
Artificial Intelligence and Faith, calling for ethical frameworks grounded in human dignity.
Global South theology, urging the Western Church to listen more closely to voices from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

His motto as a bishop, Lux in tenebris ("Light in the darkness"), reflects his desire to bring clarity and courage to the most complex issues of the modern world.

Support from the College of Cardinals

Though no one knows the outcome of a conclave until the white smoke rises, Jackson has quietly gained support from a wide range of cardinals: reform-minded clerics from Latin America, pragmatic European bishops, and even a number of conservative African cardinals who admire his pastoral toughness.

Several Vatican insiders have noted that he is seen as a unifying figure, capable of appealing to both traditionalists and reformers—something the Church desperately needs after years of internal tension.

What Would a Jackson Papacy Look Like?

If Cardinal Jackson is elected and becomes Pope Ezekiel I, Vatican watchers predict a dynamic, outward-facing papacy focused on:

Global Evangelization – Using media, languages, and platforms to reach unchurched audiences, especially youth.
Church Decentralization – Empowering regional episcopal conferences to have greater authority in decision-making.
Liturgical Harmony – Fostering mutual respect between traditional Latin Mass communities and modern liturgical expressions.
Spiritual Renewal – A call to holiness not through rigidity, but through encounter with Christ, especially in Scripture and the poor.

Symbolism of the Name “Ezekiel”

The choice of the name Ezekiel is packed with prophetic symbolism:

In the Old Testament, Ezekiel was a priest and prophet who spoke to Israel during exile. His famous vision of the valley of dry bones is a call to revival.
He also foresaw a new Temple and a river of life flowing from it — imagery often applied to spiritual renewal.
The name itself means “God strengthens” — a powerful message for a world often plagued by fear, war, and moral confusion.

If elected, Ezekiel I would instantly be recognized as a prophetic pope, much like Pope John XXIII or even Pope Francis in his early years.

Media Reaction and Public Interest

Since the news broke about Jackson’s name choice, Catholic media and secular news alike have picked up the story. Social media has trended with hashtags like #PopeEzekiel and #JacksonConclave, with many praising the boldness of choosing a previously unused name.

Faithful from Nigeria to New Orleans have shared videos of Jackson preaching, especially his moving 2022 Easter homily in Lagos, where he proclaimed:

“There is no resurrection without wounds. We are a wounded Church, but not a dead one.”

Anticipation in St. Peter’s Square

As the cardinals prepare to enter conclave, thousands of pilgrims are arriving in Rome. Many have begun praying novenas specifically for the election of a “prophetic and merciful pope.” While the Holy Spirit guides the conclave, public hope seems focused on leaders like Jackson, who represent humility, intelligence, and action.

Cardinal Jackson Could Become Pope Ezekiel I: Who Is the Frontrunner in the Next Conclave?