His knowledge of the Gospels is rudimentary. There were good Pharisee and not so good ones. Just like there are good Catholic priests and not so good ones. It’s the not so good ones that Francis seems to protect the most.
As there have been some good, saintly popes and some bad popes.
At the same time, their are stereotypes about the Pharisees in the gospel. Unfortunately, stereotypes have been stereotyped. At least some stereotype are useful intellectual shorthand.
There is truth in sayings like “99% of all politicians give the other 1% a bad name.”
Groups have general characteristics, and while it is important to get to know individuals with whom we work closely, and to treat everyone with an appropriate amount of charity, since the time of the Assumption everyone on earth is fallen and has weaknesses. Weaknesses vary, and one needs to be aware of potential weakness, not go around pretending that everyone has been immaculately conceived.
Mercy may involve working with people’s weaknesses. The pharisees, on the whole, were hypocrites, and their culture tended towards hypocrisy.
Pope Francis FORGETS that Jesus met one such Pharisee at night which became the origin of the greatest verse in the NT: JOHN 3:16.