Pope's name is Francis, not Francis I

March 15, 2013 - The Vatican has clarified that the new pope will be known as Pope Francis only and not as Pope Francis I as many in the media are reporting. At a press briefing on Thursday, Holy See’ spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi told journalists that the new Pope chose the name Francis, and was announced accordingly for the first time to the world by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica Wednesday night. “He will become Francis I after we have a Francis II,” Fr. Lombardi explained. The new name, taken by Argentine Jesuit Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, marks the first time that the leader of the Roman Catholic Church has chosen to be known as Francis.