Some of my Catholic friends say he is an atheist. Others say he is a Communist. No one has a good word.
I believe he had lost his faith by the time he became a Cardinal.
I spoke at length with a lay leader of a local parish. She is well educated, intelligent and deeply religious. Her take is that she deeply admires Francis for his efforts to open the church to the work of the Holy Spirit.
She believes he is responsive to the people and seeks ways to strengthen the church particularly in regions where there is inadequate priesthood, as is the case throughout S Am.
She considers the pope humble, open, gentle and responsive to the membership of the church as the Body of Christ.