Man of the masses. (cover story)

FRANCIS, Pope, 1936- -- Political & social views; CLIMATE change; DISTRIBUTIVE justice; ABORTION & Catholic Church; LIBERALISM; CONSERVATISM; POPE Francis: Untying the Knots (Book); FRANCIS: Pope of Good Promise (Book); CHRISTIANITY; RELIGION

The article looks at the religious, political, and social views of Pope Francis and at how Catholics and others are evaluating him. The author suggests that Francis cannot easily be classified as either liberal or conservative and discusses his views on matters including climate change, poverty and economic injustice, abortion, and church administration. Two biographies of him are cited, "Pope Francis: Untying the Knots" by Paul Vallely and "Francis: Pope of Good Promise" by Jimmy Burns.