Cardinal Cupich's unqualified admiration for Pope Francis may have led him to exaggerate the so-called "Francis effect", but there's undoubtedly an echo of sorts, in reaction today to Francis' papacy, of the heightened expectancy among a generation of Catholics at the time of the Second Vatican Council. And there's the worry. For many that expectancy was dashed by reactionary conservative elements in the Church hell-bent on scuppering Peter's newly refitted barque. The successors of those elements (you know who you are) are as pro-active and as hell-bent now on mutiny as were their predecessors. And, ominously, they've had some success.

A strong captain isn't afraid to use the lash judiciously. (Mutiny is best prevented.) Has Francis that strength for the welfare of the Church? I'm prepared to wager, on current form, that he has, since he seems his own man, appointing kindred minds to the prelature.

Cupid thinks Francis has no "template" for reform; I think he's wilier than that.