Pope Francis’ election three years ago has transformed the mood inside the Catholic Church. There is hope where there was confusion; mercy and compassion where there was judgement and condemnation. But the change still falls short of the cultural revolution he envisaged in 2013, in the fundamental policy document setting out the programme of his papacy, Evangelii Gaudium. He is finding that moods are easier to shift than structures. His reform of the Roman Curia has met with internal resistance, which is why the Pope has chosen to bypass it by the creation of a council of cardinals to advise him.   

The Council of Cardinals’ proposals, as far as they are known, seem to be to bring together under one administrative unit various sections of the Curia which do similar things, such as dealing with social justice issues, or laity and family matters – a juxtaposition which may have worrying implications.