text: The longer this papacy continues the more I'm convinced that Benedict was booted merely for being too rigid in how he presented Catholic teaching.  Francis was brought in not for a difference in his actual perspective from Benedict but to give the impression that there is the potential for change on certain matters.  
  
  Discussion makes liberals feel better, as they think they can debate away sin.  Whereas Benedict would say, "No discussion," Francis says, "Let's look in to it."  The outcome is/will be the same, but taking the ostensible rigidity out of it gives people hope and softens the outward appearance to the world.
  
  This change in the doctrinal head will likely lead to no change at all.