Assisi or Xavier?

We may soon find out whether our new Holy Father took the name of the saintly Franciscan or the zealous Jesuit, but I like to think he had both in mind: both/and rather than either/or, in good Catholic (i.e. inclusive, universal) fashion. Clearly, our new pontiff emulates the humility of the Poverello, the "little one," as his first gesture was to bow his head and request the prayer of the assembly in St. Peter's Square. He is a man of the poor and a man for the poor: this is an immensely significant development: he will call all of us to service of the very least and those who suffer. But as a Jesiut and evangelist himself, he may be consciously emulating the fervor, zeal, vigor and militance of the companion of St. Ignatius. Let us remember also that the Poverello was himself quintessentially an evangelist. A friend sent me a picture of the Argentinian Cardinal on his knees, being prayed for by Father Raniero Cantalamesa (theologian for Pope John Paul II and charismatic Franciscan) and some Pentecostal ministers. It perfectly exemplified humility in his receptive posture but also, implicitly, an eagerness to surrender to the Pentecostal energies and collaborate, ecumenically, in the evangelical task. If the interiority of holiness is intimacy with the Holy One, the exteriority of sanctity has two faces: that of humility, littleness, meekness and patience; and that of magnanimity, courage, and boldness. They are the two faces of a love that receives everything, that fears nothing, and gives all.