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In a feature story published in National Geographic, Fr Federico Lombardi, SJ, was asked how he felt about Francis.

Fr Lombardi reportedly smiled and responded with one word: "Confused."

The Jesuit said Benedict would emerge from a meeting with a world leader and would rattle off a precise summation.

"It was incredible. Benedict was so clear. He would say, ‘We have spoken about these things, I agree with these points, I would argue against these other points, the objective of our next meeting will be this'—two minutes and I'm totally clear about what the contents were. With Francis—‘This is a wise man; he has had these interesting experiences'."

Fr Lombardi chuckled and continued: "Diplomacy for Francis is not so much about strategy but instead, ‘I have met this person, we now have a personal relation, let us now do good for the people and for the Church.'"

"No one knows all of what he's doing," Fr Lombardi said.

"His personal secretary doesn't even know. I have to call around: One person knows one part of his schedule, someone else knows another part."

The Vatican's communications chief shrugged and observed: "This is the life."

Elsewhere in the National Geographic article, Franciscan friar Fr Ramiro de la Serna said he believed the world has not seen the "real changes" from Francis.

Buenos Aires-based Fr de la Serna, who has known Francis for 30 years, added: ""And I also believe we haven't seen the real resistance yet either."

"He won't change doctrine," Fr de la Serna said.

"What he will do is return the Church to its true doctrine—the one it has forgotten, the one that puts man back in the centre.

"For too long, the Church put sin in the centre.

"By putting the suffering of man, and his relationship with God, back in the centre, these harsh attitudes toward homosexuality, divorce, and other things will start to change."

Sources

• National Geographic
• Image: Reuters