Fr. Reese wrote: "Or just imagine if John Paul or Benedict had tried the same thing that Francis is doing now."

Um... John Paul and Benedict DID appoint like-minded bishops and then elevated like-minded bishops to cardinals.  Pope Francis is bringing more diversity of thought and nationality... more from the peripheries and more conversation.  That is good for the universal Church...  a 21st century Church that is more than just Rome and more than just men who lean to rightwing secular politics.   Benedict himself made an unfortunate comment about desiring a "leaner, purer church" which clearly meant fewer people (by weeding out progressives), and who also concurred with his own ultra conservative Roman mindset,  which was vastly different from his earlier mindset as a priest during V2.  I don't understand the reasoning of Fr. Reese in this commentary.  There is no "there" there.