text: History shows that groups with power very seldom surrender it willingly. It's more common that they hold on to it at all costs, fighting to the last ditch if need be.
  
  The Church no longer holds political power, so the only card left to play is the power to mediate between God and people. Pope Francis' critics believe he's surrendering that power too easily and that's why they're so critical of him.
  
  My sense is that Francis doesn't see the Church in terms of power but relationship. I don't think he places much emphasis on the Church as mediator because he understands that conversion is, ultimately, a personal act. That's why he's passionate about things like priests spending time with the faithful ("the smell of the sheep"), solidarity with the poor and marginalized, and doing away with clericalism and triumphalism.
  
  Those who benefit from the power structure in the Church are right to be fearful of Francis, but they are doomed to lose in the long run. That's the nature of evolution.