The story of the 11-year papacy was a story of illusions

Francis hoped his leadership might augur an age of renewal for the Church .

But he presided instead over an era of decline.

The future of Catholicism now looks like her distant past, the Church of the third century .

As Francis subverted the hopes of others, history subverted his own.

Francis ’s method of advancing reform through footnotes, private letters, proxy and diktat played its own role in turning inevitable clashes into unbridgeable divides.

Traditional pattern of ecclesial conflict liberalising laity, conservative pope had been set in the aftermath of the 1962-65 Second Vatican Council.

Under Francis , the council's legacy was again contested; across the world, two tendencies renewed their struggle.

Pope Francis ' lack of influence over his flock was a token of the greatest gift he leaves Catholics : he had taken their illusions away.

Francis ’ most admirable commitments his solidarity with the marginalised and forgotten seem amongst his most futile.

The life of a Pope, like any Christian , is directed towards realities which cannot be seen.