Pope Francis on Why He Chose His Name: ‘How I Would Like a Church Which Is Poor and for the Poor!’
March 18, 2013
In this photo made available by the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis greets director of the Holy See Press Office Rev. Federico Lombardi, left, during a special gathering for thousands of journalists, media workers and guests the at the Vatican, Saturday, March 16, 2013. (Photo: AP)
(TheBlaze/AP) — The focus of Pope Francis’ papacy began to emerge Saturday as he offered some intimate insights into the conclave that elected him pontiff, describing how he was immediately inspired to name himself after St. Francis of Assisi because he wants to see a church that is “for the poor.”
His comments provided further evidence that this first Latin American papacy would be one that looks beyond the confines of the church itself to the most disadvantaged, named for a 13th-century friar who renounced a wealthy, dissolute lifestyle to embrace a life of poverty and simplicity and go out in the countryside to preach a message of joy and peace.
“Let me tell you a story,” Pope Francis began in a break from his prepared text during an audience for a few thousand journalists and Vatican communications officials in the Vatican’s auditorium.
He described how during the conclave he was comforted by his friend, Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes, as the votes were going his way and it seemed “a bit dangerous” that he would reach the two-thirds necessary to be elected.
When the threshold was reached, applause erupted in the frescoed Sistine Chapel.
“He (Hummes) hugged me. He kissed me. He said, `Don’t forget about the poor!’” Francis recalled.
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