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I've read The Dictator Pope (Sire), The Lost Shepherd (Lawler) and To Change the Church (Douthat) and they all seem to run together in my head. I do have the distinct impression that Sire's book is the one that goes the furthest in saying Francis is both psychologically unbalanced and quite unscrupulous.

Have not read George Neumayr's The Political Pope. Have you? Is it worth $16 on my Kindle or should I wait for it to come down? I Am trying to figure this guy out.

Why did he blow past the Archbishop of Liverpool, the British primate Nichols, and even his own appointed pro-death buddy, Paglia, to not only "advocate for," but try to actively rescue Alfie Evans?

Is he just impulsive, sentimental and erratic? Or image-driven, hoping to grab the spotlight as His Holy Sweet Humbleness, Rescuer of Children?

Or could there be a dollop of goodness in him? Seriously. I suppose in justice and charity we should consider that.

Mrs Don-O, I'd have to be sitting across the table from you, having coffee — or. better yet, wine! — to make the case that Pope Francis didn't really do what was needed for Baby Alfie. The Pontiff was careful to speak compassionately about the parents, yet he did not contradict the message of the people he has supported since he became Pope. Acti pons speak louder, after all. and Pope Francis did dissolve the Pope JPII Pontifical Academy for Life for a Reason. Pope Francis does not believe in absolutes, at least not where human life is concerned. “Dignity” is the word Francis invokes often...as so the proponents of euthanasia, a few of whom have been appointed to Francis’s own version of the Academy for Life. From what I have read of Neumeyer’s book, it is well written, but much more optimistic about Pope Francis than the other books. I'd read it, although I don't think I'd pay for it. I also suspect Neumeyer himself is less optimistic about Francis than he used to be. Really, at this point, faithful Catholics need to be realistic rather than optimistic about this Pope.