^^^ Interesting and thoughtful article. Thanks for posting it.
Another interesting article on his description to journalists of how he chose the name:
He recalled how on Wednesday night, as he was receiving more and more votes in the conclave, the cardinal sitting next to him, Claudio Hummes of Brazil, comforted him "as the situation became dangerous".
After the voting reached the two-thirds majority that elected him, applause broke out. Hummes, 78, then hugged and kissed him and told him "Don't forget the poor", the pope recounted, often gesturing with his hands.
"That word entered here," he added, pointing to his head.
While the formal voting continued, the pope recalled: "I thought of wars .... and Francis (of Assisi) is the man of peace, and that is how the name entered my heart, Francis of Assisi, for me he is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects others."
Full article here.
And like you, I think it's wonderful news that the Ecumenical Patriarch will attend the inaugural mass tomorrow. That, coupled with a number of articles I have read on Cardinal Borgoglio's relations with Protestants in Argenitina, gives me hope for the possibility of greater unity among Christians.