This we can agree on, catechises has been terrible for a long, long time. I however don't think it will be better with moral ambiguity.  We live in an information age where church theology and teachings are available to anyone who has interest and time for some research. It is unfortunate, but Catholics more and more need to be autodidacts. Luckily we have so much surviving catechises material from the church fathers, prelates that did a much better job than our current clerics. Like St. Cyril of Jerusalem lectures and mystagogy.

The thing about gossiping parishes is really outside the realm of power of Pope, that is simply people being people, and this is not something that has changed with Pope Francis at all, nor is it something that arose recently. I think gossip requires effort from everyone in the church not just the Pope.

As for purity of faith, the church is commissioned to make saints out of all believers. We should aim for the narrow gate of heaven not hope for purgatory.