IMO, Francis was probably the best pope the church has had in a long time (perhaps ever?). I'm hardly an authority, but he appeared to be adamant about inclusivity (even LGBTQ), and charity, and all that good stuff. I found it somewhat amusing, when he first assumed the role of pope, that his underlings would try to say that he didn't mean the things he was saying. They were often hard-line conservative bigots. From what little I've read, Francis replaced a lot of them. So this conclave may have a lot more liberal cardinals than in the past.

That said, I'm sort of hoping that we get another Hitler-youth pope (like whatshisname...[typing] Benedict XVI). Someone who will rigidly adhere to the doctrines that were obsolete centuries ago, will put the Church's interests above all else (e.g. hiding pedophile priests), and pretty much ignore its people. This will, I think, drive more people away from religion, and continue to erode the foundations of the Church.

I was reading recently that there has been an alarming uptick in reliousness in society. After so many years of reading about churches closing (and being converted to some useful space), being squeezed financially, and the rise of the "nones", we've seen a recent backpedal. A good Nazi pope, like Benedict, may cure a lot of people of that. Of course, it will also appeal to the intolerant religious people (of which there are many), but we're unlikely to affect their thinking either way**. It can only benefit society if the Church itself drives people away.




**The ones who complain that the teachings of Yeshu (Jesus) are too liberal...I read about that a few months ago.