I think Francis is heartily criticized because he is not a dogmatic reactionary, like so many in the Church hierarchy, and like so many arch-conservative, post Vatican II priests.

So that Francis' more open-minded, more *Jesus*-minded ways must be fought by those sorts every step of the way.  

I am reminded of a certain quote when seeing these ongoing attacks on the Pope.  

"What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs--beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity."