Following in the footsteps of the Fisherman

There is great human interest in the election of a Pope; so much is expected of the man who emerges from behind the heavy red curtains, onto the balcony of St Peter’s.
Almost immediately, his gestures and his words are weighed and considered and within hours, millions of people know him by his new name. The Friars in Ennis were watching the moment the cardinal deacon told the world that the new pope’s name was Francis. Francis!
That name evokes so much in every Franciscan friar. Within minutes, the crowds in St Peter’s Square were chanting “Francesco, Francesco”. In time our newly elected pope will probably explain exactly why he chose a name that no other pope in history has taken. I’m sure he has very personal reasons for the choice.
In Italy, St Francis of Assisi is loved in a unique way. Of course, there are a few saints named Francis, including St Francis Xavier, the great Jesuit missionary, but knowing the love and esteem in which St Francis is held in his native Italy, I was hoping the pope had chosen his new name in honour of the Saint of Assisi.
On the night of the election, the friars who attended the mission in the cathedral were spontaneously congratulated by many people on “your Pope Francis”. The people we met had no doubt which St Francis had inspired the name.
Cardinal Bergoglio’s simple lifestyle as Archbishop of Buenos Aires and his passion for the Gospel certainly call to mind St Francis of Assisi. When the newly elected pope emerged, he seemed overawed by the moment, looking out into a crowd of perhaps 150,000 people, all of them waiting to hear him speak.
His first words were “Buona sera”, (Good evening). Perfect. There was warmth and a connection at once. It reminds me of an episode in the life of St Francis of Assisi, when the saint was just beginning to preach the Gospel with his companion friars.
He was in the little town of Poggio Bustone. The people of the town were only just waking up when St Francis walked through the streets, dressed in his simple habit, tied at the waist with a piece of old rope. As the people looked out their windows and rubbed their tired eyes, St Francis called up to them, “Buon Giorno, buona gente” (Good morning, good people).
Like St Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis was beginning his ministry with courtesy and warmth and the people in St Peter’s Square responded in kind.
Then, a touch of humour, the new Pope mentioned to the people of Rome that the cardinals had gone to the ends of the earth to find them a new bishop. The pope’s first words were to the people of his new diocese, the Romans, thanking them for their welcome.
What followed was, I think, a great act of faith. Pope Francis asked the thousands of people in the square to pray for him, he bowed his head and for a few moments and peace and serenity came upon the whole vast crowd. Like many others watching these scenes in their homes all over the world, the friars prayed for Pope Francis.
St Francis, “the poor little man of Assisi”, as he was called, lived at a moment of enormous change in the Church and in Europe. The Church in his day was politically powerful but it was failing to transform or shape the lives of ordinary Catholics.
In St Francis’ day, many people had lost touch with the Gospel message, it simply didn’t mean anything to them. Into this situation came a joyful, humble, brother called Francis. At first people scorned his poverty and simplicity but gradually many came to see that Francis was no eccentric.
When he had 12 followers in the year 1208, St Francis went to Rome for an audience with Pope Innocent III. He wanted the pope to approve his way of life and to bless him and his brothers.
The cardinals were not impressed by what they saw and Pope himself gave Francis little consideration but, according to tradition, the night after the audience, the pope had a dream. He saw the great Basilica of St John Lateran, his own cathedral church in Rome, toppling over. In his dream, he watched in horror as the greatest church in Europe crumbled. Then he saw the figure of a little man propping up the church with his shoulder. Against all odds the church was saved from ruin. The figure he recognised as Francis.
In the morning, the brothers from Assisi were called back to meet Pope Innocent and he formally approved of their way of life and gave them his blessing. Today, across the square from the great Basilica of St John Lateran, there is a bronze sculpture, showing St Francis, his arms outstretched towards the church, as if to hold it up.
St  Francis means many things to those who admire him and follow his way of life; he is the saint of simplicity, the joyful saint, the peacemaker, the lover of creation and patron of ecology, he is the brother of everyone, especially the poor and he is the lover of Christ Crucified.
Pope Francis has chosen a new name for a new time. In many ways we are still surprised, still wondering what the election of Pope Francis means for the Church and the world. But the announcement of his election was received with joy and expectation because he bears a name that still speaks of hope, brotherhood, peace and joy. Pope Francis, May the Lord give you Peace.