DETROIT — Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron hailed Pope Francis as “a man of God, a man who will lead us, a man who will walk with us on our way to God.”

The archbishop spoke to local new media just hours after the conclave of cardinals meeting at the Vatican elected Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, SJ, to the papacy March 13. A Mass to celebrate the new pope’s inauguration was expected to be celebrated at 6 p.m. March 20 at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.

At the news conference, he paraphrased the message he had just given at the regular Wednesday Vespers service at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, saying the name Francis calls to mind the example of St. Francis of Assisi (c. 1181-1226).

Archbishop Vigneron recalled how St. Francis, kneeling before the altar of San Damiano Church, heard “from the crucifix Jesus say to him, ‘Build my Church.’”

And he added that he was confident Pope Francis would be a leader in “the work of building the Church, which is the work of evangelization.”

As it was uncertain at the time whether the new pontiff had chosen his name because of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscans, or St. Francis Xavier (1506-52), a fellow Jesuit, Archbishop Vigneron also cited the example of the great Portuguese missionary to Asia.

Noting that, as a student, St. Francis Xavier was the outstanding scholar at the University of Paris, the archbishop said in today’s world, he would be the kind of genius who would go on from Stanford University to make millions of dollars in some “dot.com business,” and yet, “he gave all that up to serve God.”

It was later confirmed it was Francis of Assisi who inspired the Holy Father’s name choice, at least primarily. The new pope also will be referred to only as “Pope Francis,” without the roman numeral “I,” the Vatican’s press office said.
In answer to a reporter’s question, Archbishop Vigneron predicted Pope Francis’ priority would be evangelization, and organizing the Church to be more effective in the work of evangelization.

“We don’t want to turn out like a behemoth that has lost its mission,” the archbishop said.

Regarding reports of Cardinal Bergoglio’s reputation for humility, Archbishop Vigneron said, “Always, to be effective in communicating Christ, the evangelizer has to mirror Christ — to find His face in the poor, and to offer the Good News to them as well.”

He also predicted Pope Francis would help restore the vitality of the Church and present the Gospel in a way that would draw more people to it.

To another reporter’s question about whether any changes could be expected in Church teachings on issues such as same-sex marriage or abortion, the Archbishop Vigneron explained that the Church’s positions were not just those of the recent pontiffs, but are rooted in the Church’s tradition.

“Don’t expect any change,” he advised. “These teachings — abortion, same sex-unions — these are rooted in not just the pope’s conviction, these are really the trustee of the Church’s convictions. Our views on this are in fact, good news. Were we to abandon them, we would be like physicians who didn’t tell their patients that certain forms of behavior are not really in their best interests.”

Seminary professors Edward Peters, J.D., J.C.L., and Mark Latkovic, S.T.D., were also on hand to talk with reporters.

Peters confirmed that Pope Francis is the first Jesuit pope in history, a fact Archbishop Vigneron said was significant because of the charisms he will bring to the papacy.

“That means he brings to his ministry gifts that are part of Jesuit life — a gift of discernment, a great optimism about the Holy Spirit being at work in the culture,” he said.

Peters also pointed to the significance of having a pope from a Spanish-speaking country: “More Catholics are Spanish-speakers as a first or second language than any other single language.”

Latkovic said of Pope Francis, “It seems clear he will carry on in the tradition of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.”

Others also welcomed the election of Pope Francis with warm words. Michigan Catholic Conference President and CEO Paul A. Long also expressed hope for the sound leadership of the new pontiff.

“We offer our prayers that Pope Francis will guide the Church with love toward universal peace and salvation, and that the Holy Spirit will continue to inspire all elected officials to promote the common good for all people,” Long said.

The CatholicTV Network, which partners locally with the archdiocese’s own TV station, the Catholic Television Network of Detroit, also offered its welcome.