Assisi

Looking out for society’s most vulnerable was a theme of Francis’ papacy, informed by his Latin American roots and expressed through his choice of a namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, who dedicated his life to the poor and also the environment.

Bergoglio chose as his papal name Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi, who left his wealthy inheritance to live by vows of poverty and embraced all living creatures, human and animal alike, as brothers and sisters in Christ.

The name honors Francis of Assisi, who lived in service of the poor and marginalized and preached care of the environment, and Francis Xavier, a 16th century Jesuit who spread the Gospel in Asia.

For example, Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, but he chose a different name for his papacy in honour of St Francis of Assisi.

Clad simply in white, he bore a new name which paid homage to St Francis of Assisi, the 13th Century preacher and animal lover.