Francis settled into the role of Pope with remarkable ease after his election in 2013. He has combined clarity of expression with political shrewdness, qualities that will be to the fore in the two great challenges he faces in the coming months
What is the biggest difference between Pope Francis and Jorge Mario Bergoglio? Ask anyone who knew him when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires and they will say: the smile.Dour and dutiful are the kind of adjectives applied to him by acquaintances from his days in Argentina. The locals called him “Horseface”. Jesuits said he was the man who never smiled. Friends said his face lit up only when talking about his football team, San Lorenzo. His press secretary had constantly to try to persuade him not to look so glum in front of the camera
27 August 2015, The Tablet
The great persuader
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