Well, Steve, sometimes I'm not all that sure about elections. I live in the United States, and I'm still wondering how George W. Bush became President in 2000. And for that matter, I'm wondering why so many people still insist that the man who won the popular election in 2008 and 2012, is not legally qualified to be President.

No matter how Pope Francis was elected, his credibility will depend upon the job he does. So far, he has done quite well - and he is widely supported by Catholics, even though he did not get his job by popular election. I, for one, did not expect much good to come out of this year's papal election, because the bishops in general have become increasingly conservative. I was pleasantly surprised. I guess other people were pleasantly surprised, too, since Time Magazine named Pope Francis their "person of the year."

-Joe Offer-