text: I think that this needs to be stated very clearly for some people to understand. Pope Francis was never going to change Catholic Doctrine. Indeed in his famous Sept 2013 interview he said he was a "son of the Church". As Cardinal Bergoglio in Argentina he was known as someone who was conservative on moral doctrine, but a strong proponent of social justice as well. 
  
  This I think is what both liberals and conservatives miss. It's entirely possible for someone to be a traditionalist on moral doctrine and a strong supporter of social justice at the same time. Many Liberation theologians in Latin America like Oscar Romero and Gustavo Gutierrez held that position. 
  
  What Francis has changed is 2 things. (i)The emphasis of the Church. He wants to focus on the Preferential Option for the Poor and not culture war issues. (ii) The approach of the Church. Though a traditionalist he is also someone who believes in mercy and is an ardent critic of clericalism.