Pope Francis Wants 'Church For The Poor'

Pope Francis has called for "a poor Church for the poor", saying he chose his Papal name because St Francis of Assisi was "a man of poverty and a man of peace".

The Pontiff was hosting an audience with the world's media in the Vatican as part of a greater openness that has characterised his first days in office.

The 76-year-old has displayed an informal style that contrasts sharply with that of his more academic predecessor Benedict XVI.

Francis described to hundreds of journalists the emotional moments immediately after his election in a secret conclave in the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday.

The Argentinian, formerly Jorge Mario Bergoglio, said he had been sitting next to Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes, the Archbishop Emeritus of Sao Paulo.

"He hugged me and kissed me and told me not to forget the poor. And that word went in here," he said, pointing to his head.

He went on: "I immediately thought of Francis of Assisi.

"Francis of Assisi for me is a man of poverty, a man of peace, a man who loved and protected creation. Right now our relations with Creation are not going very well."

Next Saturday, March 23, Pope Francis will visit his predecessor at the Papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, in an historic encounter which will bring together the new Pope and the first to resign in six centuries.

Benedict, 85, abruptly ended his eight-year reign saying his health was no longer robust enough for the job.

The new Pope's Inauguration Mass will take place on Tuesday - the Feast of St Joseph, the patron saint of the universal church.

He has urged the faithful in his native Argentina not to travel to Italy for the Mass but rather to give the money the trip would have cost to charity.

Nonetheless, heads of state from all over the world are expected to be present, while more than a million people are expected to throng the streets of Rome.

On the eve of his installation Pope Francis will hold talks with the President of Argentina.

The Pope has sharply criticised Christina Fernandez over her support for liberal measures such as gay marriage and free contraceptives.