Why did Pope Francis become pope?

Answer 1

The Pope chose Francis as his regnal name because of St. Francis of Assisi and his great love of the poor, this came over the Vatican News Feed this morning:

“Some people didn't know why the Bishop of Rome wanted to call himself 'Francis'. Some though of Francis Xavier, Francis de Sales, even Francis of Assisi. I will tell you the story. At the election I had the archbishop emeritus of Sao Paulo next to me. He is also prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy, Cardinal Claudio Hummes [O.F.M.]: a dear, dear friend. When things were getting a little 'dangerous', he comforted me. And then, when the votes reached the two-thirds, there was the usual applause because the Pope had been elected. He hugged me and said: 'Do not forget the poor.' And that word stuck here [tapping his forehead]; the poor, the poor. Then, immediately in relation to the poor I thought of Francis of Assisi. Then I thought of war, while the voting continued, until all the votes [were counted]. And so the name came to my heart:: Francis of Assisi. For me he is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who love and safeguards Creation. In this moment when our relationship with Creation is not so good—right?—He is the man who gives us this spirit of peace, the poor man … Oh, how I wish for a Church that is poor and for the poor!”

Answer 2

Because the Cardinals, meeting in Conclave, did their best to discern the Will of God and follow it in their voting. Thus the bottom line is that the Holy Spirit thought that he would be the man for the job.

Answer 3

Pope Francis was elected in a secret conclave in the Sistine Chapel by the cardinal electors on March 13, 2013.

Answer 4

Pope Francis said that he had chosen the name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, and had done so because he was especially concerned for the well-being of the poor.

Answer 5

Only the cardinal electors can answer that question and they are bound by secrecy to not disclose what went on during the conclave.

Answer 6

What happens in a conclave stays in the conclave. It is all secret so we will never know the answer to that question.

Answer 7

Francis was elected in a secret conclave in the Sistine Chapel of Vatican City by the eligible cardinal electors on March 13, 2013.

Answer 8

What happens in a papal conclave is secret so we will never know the reasons a particular cardinal was chosen as pope.

Answer 9

He was elected.

Answer 10

Because the Cardinals elected him