I was almost impressed by the credentials of the new pope

[pennylane100]

until I read the following taken from The Guardian:

On the Argentinian government's support for a gay marriage bill:

"Let's not be naive: this isn't a simple political fight, it's an attempt to destroy God's plan."

Why do I get the feeling that they are trying really hard to put lipstick on that same old pig.

[Buzz Clik]

1. The Catholics are not trying to put lipstick on anything. It's who they are.

I cannot seem to fathom those who are shocked by this.

[BainsBane]

5. Exactly

Every one of those Cardinals was going to adhere to those same reactionary positions on cultural issues. That was NEVER in question.

[Renew Deal]

2. I don't think they're putting lipstick on anything

There wasn't a choice between a pro-rights pope and an anti-rights pope. You don't get to be cardinal let alone pope if you are pro-marriage equality (or tolerance in general).

[Gman]

3. He was a cardinal in the Catholic Church? what do you expect?

That's an awfully naive way to feel. They're not trying to hide anything, nor do they feel they need to in any way.

[Rowdyboy]

4. For Christs sake, every cardinal voting was appointed by either JPII or Benedict....

What would you expect? Its not like the headline was ever gonna read "Sexy young liberal reformer chosen as pope".

Out of a group of obnoxious, aging, conservative (mostly) white males they did about as good as they could have done. I think Francis stands a chance of stepping outside the box. Probably not, but possibly. Since I'm not Catholic, its really not that big a deal to me....