I think Francis is hoping he'll set a precedent for open access that the next pope will follow -- or at least have a hard time shutting completely off. 

There's a "genie out of the bottle" effect to the systematic chipping away at the mystification of the papacy over the past few decades. First came John XXIII and "aggiornamento." Then Paul VI and his world travels, followed by JPII, who ratcheted that up even more. Benedict may have done the most to demystify the papacy by setting a modern precedent with his resignation. And now Francis wants to create an atmosphere of dialogue.

The Church moves into the future in fits and starts. Let's hope this start takes permanent hold.