While meeting with journalists in Rome on Friday, Pope Francis explained why he chose the name of Francis, a choice that makes him the first “Francis” in the history of the papacy.
The Vatican Information Service is reporting that Pope Francis articulated the reasons behindr his choice of name, thus putting to rest speculation as to which famous St. Francis he was naming himself after – Francis of Assisi, Francis de Sales, or Francis Xavier.
“Some people didn’t know why the Bishop of Rome wanted to call himself ‘Francis’. Some though of Francis Xavier, Francis de Sales, even Francis of Assisi. I will tell you the story,” the Pope began.
“At the election I had the archbishop emeritus of Sao Paulo next to me. He is also prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy, Cardinal Claudio Hummes, a dear, dear friend. When things were getting a little ‘dangerous’, he comforted me. And then, when the votes reached the two-thirds, there was the usual applause because the Pope had been elected. He hugged me and said: ‘Do not forget the poor’. And that word stuck here,” he said, tapping his forehead.
“The poor, the poor. Then, immediately in relation to the poor I thought of Francis of Assisi. Then I thought of war, while the voting continued, until all the votes [were counted]. And so the name came to my heart: Francis of Assisi. For me he is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who love and safeguards Creation. In this moment when our relationship with Creation is not so good—right?—He is the man who gives us this spirit of peace, the poor man … Oh, how I wish for a Church that is poor and for the poor!”
He also took a moment to address the profession of journalism, asking the press to “always seek to know more the Church’s true nature and the spiritual motivations that guide her and that are the most authentic for understanding her.”
While reassuring them that the Church considers their work to be very precious, he added: “Like many other professions, your job requires study, sensitivity, and experience but it bears with it a particular attention to truth, goodness, and beauty. This makes us particularly close because the Church exists to communicate Truth, Goodness, and Beauty ‘in person’. It should be clear that we are all called, not to communicate ourselves, but rather this existential triad that shapes truth, goodness, and beauty.”
He blessed the reporters, wishing the best for themselves and their families, and then addressed those present who were not Catholic.
“Many of you don’t belong to the Catholic Church, others are not believers. From my heart I impart this blessing, in silence, to each of you, respecting the conscience of each one, but knowing that each of you is a child of God: May God bless you.”
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