Most popes have their superheated fans and their chilly critics. The cardinals elected the man (who was runner up in the previous election) on the strength, among other things, of his speech during the planning sessions. He wasn't a surprise to them. He has been a surprise to those of us who didn't know of him prior to the election. And reaction is "what a mess he's made," "thank God for a return to normalcy," or perhaps even "why isn't he getting on with that 'reform' of the curia?" I am grateful that the system hasn't chewed him up. He smiles, he interacts with people without affectation, has the fascinating mind of a Jesuit, clearly is humble and holy, probably even saintly. Thank God for the adventure that he creates for people of faith! Ad multos annos.