 Pacelli took the same papal name as his predecessor , a title used exclusively by Italian Popes . He was quoted as saying , " I call myself Pius ; my whole life was under Popes with this name , but especially as a sign of gratitude towards Pius XI . " On 15 December 1937 , during his last consistory , Pius XI strongly hinted to the cardinals that he expected Pacelli to be his successor , saying " He is in your midst . " He had previously been quoted as saying : " When today the Pope dies , you 'll get another one tomorrow , because the Church continues . It would be a much bigger tragedy , if Cardinal Pacelli dies , because there is only one . I pray every day , God may send another one into one of our seminaries , but as of today , there is only one in this world . " 
