Doesn't sound like Papa Franceso is intimidated by any of the cardinals!  Sounds like Papa Francesco can throw a political gut punch when he has to:

“virus of polarization and animosity”
“contrary to the richness and universality” of the faith community.
“Everything and everyone then begins to savor of animosity. Little by little, our differences turn into symptoms of hostility, threats and violence.”
“How many situations of uncertainty and suffering are sown by this growing animosity between peoples, between us!” 
“The virus of polarization and animosity permeates our way of thinking, feeling and acting,” the pope continued. “We are not immune from this and we need to take care lest such attitudes find a place in our hearts, because this would be contrary to the richness and universality of the Church, which is tangibly evident in the College of Cardinals.”