There's nothing radical or exciting about Pope Francis.

[sibelian]

17. ....

1. These days, actual Catholics hold something of a plurality of views on the politically significant aspects of catholic doctrine.

2. If the Catholic camps which we might recognise as "left wing" and "right wing" remain unaffected in their views by the transition from Ratso to Lovelypants it is neither surprising nor of any consequence, really, as that's how grown-ups behave these days, and, being the case, renders the Ratso-to-Lovelypants rebranding exercise something of a circus.

3. If the Catholic camps which we might recognise as "left wing" and "right wing" are in fact SWAYED by the transition from Ratso to Lovelypants then that is a cause for GREAT ALARM and awfulness as we are clearly dealing with people who base their opinions about reality on someone whose value as an opinionator rests on wearing pretty clothes and a silly hat. Also, in THAT context, Catholicism reveals itself to be a VERY BAD THING which (were it up to me and possibly it's better that it isn't) should NOT BE A THING as grown-ups these days SHOULDN'T THINK LIKE THAT. The reason being, all we'd need to lose all the useful stuff is another Ratso.

"OH. God likes being nice to people now because it's not the guy from Poltergiest II anymore. In fact, God digs the SHIT out of that shit. THAT MEANS I DO, TOO."

NOT a sensible way of being, says I.