(Edit: I intended this as a response to John David.  I guess I need some practice here.) 

I think your point is well-illustrated by the response of both conservatives and liberals to <i>Amoris Laetitia</i>.  Conservatives wanted a strong and unambiguous affirmation of the existing law, with no wiggle room; liberals wanted a clear and unambiguous change in the law.  But Francis insists that the law itself is not the issue or the problem; he calls us to an adult response to the law.  His emphasis is always on the person in his/her <i>situ en leben</i>, situation in life.  I think this emphasis on the person is at least part of the reason that what he says about transgender issues seems off-key, but what he says about transgender persons is right on the money.
                                                             Mike AA
                                                             (the poster formerly known as Mike A)