(May 23, 2013) Pope Francis will make a trip in October to the hill town of Assisi
in central Italy, the native town of St. Francis of Assisi, after whom he chose to
be known as Pope. Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Guardo Tadino
Diocese, officially announced on Thursday that the Pope will visit Assisi on Oct.
4. He said he received official confirmation of the papal visit from the Prefecture
of the Papal Household in the Vatican. A letter signed by Archbishop Angelo Becciu,
the Substitute of the Vatican Secretariat of State, sent to Bishop Sorrentino, noted
that Pope Francis wishes to make a pilgrimage to the city of St. Francis on Oct.
4. On being elected Pope on March 13, Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, Archbishop
of Buenos Aires chose the name Francis after Italy’s patron saint, known for his simplicity,
humility and poverty. The first American and Jesuit to become Pope also became the
first Pontiff to choose the name Francis.