Of the reforms of the Catholic Church promoted by Pope Francis, most attention has been given to his shaking up of the Vatican, in its membership, structure and culture. But little by little he has also been making progress at a wider international level, which in the long term may prove to be the more radical part of his agenda. He has been passing power and influence from centre to periphery, from the Holy See to bishops in individual dioceses and, even more significantly, to national and regional bishops’ conferences.

There are obstacles, but he seems bent on dismantling them.