In his autobiography "Hope," Pope Francis recounts the pivotal moment of his papal election in 2013, highlighting the surprise of hearing his name called as a candidate. He was deeply influenced by Cardinal Hummes' advice to remember the poor, which resonated with him profoundly and shaped his choice of name. Notably, he chose 'Francis', a unique name not used for over 600 years. Additionally, he recalls a homeless man with a sign proclaiming 'Pope Francis I', further underscoring the connection to his mission of serving the marginalized.
"When my name was pronounced for the seventy-seventh time, there was a burst of applause... Cardinal Hummes... embraced me: 'Don't forget the poor,' he said. Those words... remained with me."
"I do believe that the choice of name usually represents a calling... during the conclave, a homeless man was wandering around Saint Peter's Square with a placard... 'Pope Francis I.'"
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