Originally Posted By: dontomasso
Originally Posted By: ht2
Originally Posted By: pizzaboy

And I'm very aware of the Jesuit thing, having gone to Fordham and all. And I, too, am surprised that this was the first Pope Francis. Francis of Assisi is one of the biggest icons in the Church. But that aside, the Franciscan Order is so influential that it's just hard to believe.


Kind of interesting he chose Francis of Assisi rather than Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Jesuits. Francis of Assisi is more about simplicity and going back to basics.


It is unclear which Francis he was choosing could be both since Xavier was a Jesuit. Francis of Assisi makes better copy which is why the journalists have gone with it. I mean why let the facts get in the way of a good story?


As I understand it, the name Francis refers directly to Francis of Assisi. Some church historians alluded to the belief that if the pope had sought to honor St. Francis Xavier (whom he no doubt holds in especially high regard, then he would have taken the name "Francis Xavier" as that saint has never been referred to as just Francis.