The last two days of June and the first day of July 2017 will go down as one of the most dramatic periods in Francis’ papacy. Within three days two of the Vatican’s most senior cardinals, one in charge of doctrine and the other of finance, were out of their jobs, and the scandal of clerical sexual abuse of children was suddenly back at the top of the Pope’s agenda.

Francis took office just over four years ago; a great gust of reforming wind was whipped up, pushing the barque of Peter out into fresh waters.