I just checked in the backyard.

Francis is a 2-foot high statue of a guy with a funny hair-do, dressed in a long robe, holding a bunny, with a fawn at his feet peeking into a basket. I remember someone gave me the statue as a birthday gift

I guess Francis is a garden gnome. Some sort of yard art.

(Are you sure?)

Okay, I’ll check the Internet. You can find everything there.

(Are you sure?)

Sure, I just type in “Francis yard art or garden gnome.” And, press enter. . . . There we go.

(And?)

I found him! At the top, it says: “Saint Francis of Assisi Statue Lawn Garden Sculpture Yard Art.” He looks like my guy, except this one has a bird and a squirrel, with a fawn and a rabbit. Same hair style – bald on the top, a rim of hair circling around. Kinda’ cool. He’d fit right in at the mall.

(What does it say under the statue?)

It says: “Give your garden the added warmth of this beautiful St. Francis sculpture. Known as the patron saint of the animals, St. Francis of Assisi is the perfect accent in your butterfly garden, bird sanctuary, or wild flower patch. Crafted of resin, this lawn statue measures 21″H. Beautiful indoors or out.” That’s my guy.

(And, who just picked the name “Francis?”)

You mean the Pope. Yeah, I saw that he did. Why’d he pick the name of a garden statue?

(Why do you think?)

He likes animals?

(Not bad, but maybe you should go back to the Internet.)

Francis is an interesting person. It says in the Wikipedia article that Francis was a rich dude who gave up everything and started an order of poor friars. That special rim haircut was called a “tonsure” — it showed that the friars were an approved group of preachers dedicated to a life of poverty. This Francis guy believed that nature reflected God, and he called the animals his brothers and sisters. He even preached to the birds and straightened out a bad wolf that was eating people. It sounds like Francis of Assisi tried to stop the crusades by walking into the camp of the Sultan of Egypt with nothing but his robe and haircut. He was so brave the Franciscans, that’s the name of his followers, were allowed by the Muslims to stay in the Holy Land. Seems like Francis could build bridges and reach folks just about everywhere. He was named a saint less than two years after he died, and Pope John Paul II made him the patron saint of ecology – that’s how we interact with our environment. So, he’s green, which explains why you see him in the backyard. And, he’s one of the two patron saints of Italy.

(So, why do you think the new Pope picked the name of Francis of Assisi?)

Well, the Pope got elected in Italy, and St. Francis was a local and the patron saint of the country. You know what they say: When in Rome do as the Romans do. Maybe, it’s like me trying to speak a little Spanish in Mexico or French in France. My Spanish and French aren’t that good, but I want the people to know I respect them, I like where they live and I appreciate their hospitality. Maybe, the Pope was saying: “Thanks and I want to fit in.”

(Not bad, but do you think that was all the Pope was thinking?)

It’s hard to say what a Pope is thinking.

(Give it a try.)

Well . . . St. Francis had a focus on poverty and the poor — look at his hair and his clothes. I’ve heard that this Pope is already dressing down for a pope. So, he’s not into fancy trappings, and he reaches out to the crowd and talks sorta’ folksy. . . . And, St. Francis of Assisi talked to different people, like that Sultan in Egypt who was a Muslim . . . and they seemed to get along. And, St. Francis of Assisi was a green guy. He cared about the environment before solar panels and wind farms were cool. And, he was simple — he hung around with birds and wolves, the good and the bad, the big and the small. He gave ‘em all a chance, not a prejudiced guy. . . . You know that old Francis was a modern kinda’ guy – I guess. He was a good guy trying to fit in.

(So, you think the Pope is just trying to fit in?)

No . . . I think it’s more than that. I think the new Pope Francis picked the name to say he’s trying to be like we’re all trying to be today.

(And, how are we’re all trying to be?)

Like the old St. Francis. Don’t you see it? I mean it’s cool today to dress comfortable and help each other, and be green and recycle, and talk with everyone and not be prejudiced. That’s what St. Francis did. He lived it. Right on, Saint.

(So, St. Francis fits right in?)

He does. That’s why the Pope picked the name. St. Francis did what we’re all trying to be today. Go, Francis. I dig it. He fits right in.

(I think he does, too.)

I never realized there could be so much in a name.

(Or in a garden statue.)

Maybe I’ll get another for the front?

(Better hurry — they seem to be popular.)

I’m headin’ to the nursery right now. See you later.

(Say “Hello” for me.)

Will do,

(Grandpa Jim)