Dalai Lama 'touched' by Pope Francis's choice of name
St Francis of Assisi 'inspiring' says Tibetan spiritual leader
15 March, 10:35
(ANSA) - Shanghai, March 15 - The Dalai Lama on Friday said he
was "touched" by Pope Francis's decision to pick the name of
humble, Nature-loving monk St Francis of Assisi.The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader said he was "no expert on Catholic saints" but had been to Assisi several times for inter-religious gatherings and was well acquainted with the story of St Francis.
"His discipline, the simplicity of his life and his love for all creatures are qualities which I find highly inspiring.
"I am really touched to know that is the name chosen by the Pope," he said on his website.
"I hope I will soon have the honour to meet Francis as I did his predecessors Benedict and John Paul II, with whom I had friendly conversations over the last 40 years or so," added the Lama, who has been living in exile in India since a failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.
Brochure: 
