Why did Pope Francis pick that name?

Pope Francis chose his name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi because he is a lover of the poor, said Vatican deputy spokesman Thomas Rosica. “Cardinal Bergoglio had a special place in his heart and his ministry for the poor, for the disenfranchised, for those living on the fringes and facing injustice,” Rosica said.

How does the pope select his name?

Since John II, it’s believed that all popes have chosen a new name, often assuming the name of a previous pope whom they admired or whose work they hoped to continue or emulate. “Once they get to be pope, they can choose whatever name they want,” Portier said.

Is the Pope always called Francis?

No pope has ever chosen to be called Francis before, and it was not among the names favored by oddsmakers betting on which the new pontiff would choose. The name harks back to St. Francis of Assisi, who founded the Franciscan order.

What does the name Francis mean?

frenchman; free man
Meaning:frenchman; free man. This name is the anglicized version of a name with multiple origins. Franceis from French, Franciscus from Latin, and Francisco from Italian are at the root of this traditional name. However, this name at the core of it does mean “Frenchman” and “free man”.

Why does the pope have to change his name?

By some accounts, the naming tradition began with Pope John II. Named Mercurius at birth, he changed his name after assuming the papacy in 533, believing it would be inappropriate for the head of the Christian church to share the name of a pagan god.

Why Francis are called Frank?

Derivation. Francesco (“Frank”, “Frenchman”, “Free man” in medieval Italian) was the name given to Saint Francis of Assisi (born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone) by his francophile father, whose wife the mother of Francesco was French, celebrating his trade with French merchants.

Was Francis in the Bible?

Clare, the Third Order of St. Francis and the Custody of the Holy Land. Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in Christianity….Francis of Assisi.

Saint Francis of Assisi OFM
Canonized	16 July 1228, Assisi, Papal States by Pope Gregory IX
Major shrine	Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi
Feast	4 October

Do popes pick their own name?

There are no particular rules regarding what name a pope may choose, but generally their decision is viewed as a reflection of practices or tendencies they favor.

Is Francis a girl or boy?

The name Francis is both a boy’s name and a girl’s name of Latin origin meaning “Frenchman or free man”. Since this was the name chosen by the current Roman Catholic pope, Francis has come into the spotlight.

What is the meaning of Francis name?

What is the meaning of the name Frances?

free one
Frances is a French and English given name of Latin origin. In Latin the meaning of the name Frances is ‘from France’ or ‘free one. ‘ The male version of the name in English is Francis.

Why did Pope Francis change his name?

But when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected pope on March 13, 2013, he picked a new name — “Francis.” It was a choice designed to send a clear message that he would be a new kind of pontiff with his own ideas for the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics.

Why is there only one Pope Francis?

As CNN Vatican expert John Allen explained, St. Francis is a “cornerstone figure in Catholicism,” making his life and his deeds “irrepeatable — that there can be only one Francis.” He went on to opine that by becoming the first Pope Francis, the Pope was “sending a signal that this will not be business as usual.” A new kind of Pope?

Why did Pope Francis choose the name Francis of Assissi?

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.).

Who is the new Pope Francis?

Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, the new pope, is breaking historic ground by choosing the name Francis. It’s the first time the name is being used by a pope, said CNN Vatican expert John Allen.