Amanda.Greene@Religion News.com
In interviews with journalists last weekend, the newly elected Pope Francis said: "“And this is how the name came to me, in my heart: Francis of Assisi. The man of the poor, the man of peace, the man who loves and cares for creation – in this moment when we don’t have a very good relationship with creation, no?” he added, talking with reporters with Religion News Service.
“A man who gives us this spirit of peace, a poor man … Ah, how much I would like a poor church, for the poor!”
St. Francis was also a patron saint for environmentalists, and the pope who adopted the saint's name has alluded to his desire to improve the church's connection to creation care issues as well.
But improving the church's connection to the poor and social issues is a huge place to start. Pope Francis has his formal installation on Tuesday (March 19) at the Vatican.
Where should the pope begin his march against poverty?
Read Wilmington Faith and Values' local coverage of the pope's elections here and here.
Melody Gordon | Mar 18, 2013 | 4:23pm
Pope Francis should concentrate on two items to help the poor, the first being that everyone needs the dignity of sleeping somewhere safe and the other is food of nutritious value. There should not be any restrictions or overlords to take these items away from truly desperate people.
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