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", reports the ABC.
"How I would like a poor church for the poor" the 76-year-old said in between bursts of applause at a meeting with hundreds of journalists from around the world in the Vatican on Saturday.
The special audience with journalists was billed as another sign of the greater openness that has characterised the new Pope's first days in office.
Pope Francis described 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, when he was elected.
"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.
"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," he added.
Since his shock election on Wednesday, the pope has made clear that he would be introducing a different style to the papacy following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI last month.
FULL STORY Pope Francis wishes for a 'poor church' (ABC)
Pope Francis wants 'poor church for the poor' (Australian)