Why Did the Pope Choose the Name Francis?

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Pope Francis gave an audience in which he explained why he chose the name Francis.

Although many people speculated that he took the name after St. Francis Xavier since he is a Jesuit. However, he chose it after St. Francis of Assisi.

What do you think?

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  1. I think that both Saints Francis are great saints! We’ve seen Pope Francis’ solicitude for the poor and disenfranchised since his ascending to the Petrine ministry, a la St. Francis of Assisi, and we’re also seeing his bent toward teaching and evangelization in the tradition of St. Ignatius and as so heroically demonstrated by St. Francis Xavier. A winning combination for the Church Militant!

    I’m responding to this post on the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord, and have been meditating on that this morning. The angels who appeared challenged the apostles: “Men of Jerusalem, why do you stand staring at the sky? He will return as He ascended.” I think Pope Francis is challenging all Catholics to stop staring at the sky, and get busy in prayer and service to the greater glory of God.

  2. Thank you Lord for giving us Pope Francis! Let’s keep him healthy and safe. I am so happy for the Catholic Church for this wonderful humble Pope. I’ll continue to pray also for His Holiness Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus.

  3. Pope Francis. What a wonderful name. Do you agree? I can’t believe he is the FIRST pope to chose the name Francis. May God bless all who have taken the time each day to pray the novenas! And God bless everyone!!
    ;0)

  4. All glory,honour and praise be to christ our Lord amen. As he has elected for himself d person to govern his church. He did so to prove to us wen he said d gate of he shall not prevail his church. Secondly,he did so to let us know dat he is aware of wat is happening in dis world and he is still working on dese earth despite wat is happening . I tthank for our pope and i pray dat may d good Lord lead as he pastures Gods loving children especially d poor. It gives me a great joy wen he humbly requested for our prayers. Dis means dat he knows dat he cannot achieve it on its own, he needs us by his side to accomplish his tasks on earth.

    • Gene, I believe this too.I have read the prophecies of st. Malachi.everything has fallen into place.this IS our last pope.we will be the people to see our Lord return! Robyn

  5. Pope Francis!
    May our Pope be blessed and guided always and everywhere by the Holy Spirit! Amen. :D

  6. Ruth
    thanks john Paul for the messages, pope Francis is Savior of the world for he is proliferate he will lead his people to the promised land.am proud of him may almighty God guide him

  7. Thank yo John Paul and Anna for allowing be to be part of the novenas. Thank you also for the video of Pope Francis. I have a great love and admiration for St. Francis of Assisi d/t his protection and love of the animals. For our newly elected Pope to think about poverty and the poor tells me he will lead our church in the right direction.

  8. I was greatly surprised when the Pope took the name of Francis. I immediately thought of St. Francis of Assisi. The new Pope was born on 12/17/36. Years back, I had a dream where I heard the Angels sing. The song was “All Creatures of Our God and King”, words by St. Francis of Assisi. Since I came in the Catholic Church and learned about Fatima, I have been praying for the consecration of Russia to The Immaculate Heart of Mary. I met the Fatima priest, Fr. Nicholas Gruner some years back and he has been fighting for this for years. Since our new Pope is Francis and was born on the 17th, (Fatima 1917), and hoping that he will be the one to consecrate Russia to The Immaculate Heart of Mary….. Pray with me for this intention.

  9. Thank you John Paul for giving us the video on why our Pope choose to be called Francis. This is a step forward in understanding the Catholic faith. He choose the name Francis of Assissi because he catered for the poor. Matthew 5:3 states, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. Our new pope wants us all Catholic faithfuls to inherit God’s kingdom by serving those who need our serves (not counting tribe, race, color, religious beliefs, etc.). Matthew 25:31-46 talks about the Final Judgement; and we are told, The King will reply to the righteous, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me”. Let us emurate the new servant of God. Amen

  10. Thanks John-Paul, for posting the video on why Pope Francis chose the name he did! I love our new Pope…he gives me such hope for the Church! Love and God bless!

  11. God Bless our new Pope Francis! Love for creation! With all the abortions that occur each year we all need a better love for creation. All creation!!! May the Holy Spirit guide Pope Francis in all his decisions and may his sincerity for all creation remain always.

  12. “Do not forget the Poor” the tought of porverty entererd the Pope’s heart. May the Holy Spirit Guide Him all the way.

    • I love this new Pope and wish him well in all that he is about to handle at the Vatican in St.Peter’s square. I love him for his humility and humbleness towards the poor and am certain he is going to do a lot of good and change things around within the Vatican. God bless him and may he always be led by the power of the Holy Spirit.

  13. All honor, Glory and Praise be to Our Lord Jesus Christ. The new Holy Father sounds like he is off to a wonderful start. I pray the world embraces this message and the great wrongs that plague society are corrected.

  14. Thank u Holy Sprit for inspiring Our Holy Fr with d name Francis, what a better way to call the faithful and d world to the plight of the poor who re also children of Abraham

  15. The thought of poor and the love for creation ! This is indeed a great virtue of every human to be considered. And we will surely be guided to this by our
    Pope Francis!
    May our Pope be blessed and guided always and everywhere by the Holy Spirit! Amen.

  16. The thought of “Poverty” entered our Pope’s heart because it was inspired by the Holy Spirit. I am very happy to hear that.