Those two tests eliminate about 99% of Francis' critics.
I would agree. Most criticism I have heard has been stylistic and not matters of faith. Additionally, the secular reporting, as always, is terrible.
Alternatively, whether a person likes the Pope or not, always remember the promise of Our Lord, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (the Church).
On a purely secular level, if you're going to criticize someone you should probably (1) know exactly what his position is on a given matter and (2) be reasonably certain that you are more qualified to opine than he is about that subject.Those two tests eliminate about 99% of Francis' critics.
Even if this is true, and I am not entirely convinced to be honest, isn't that in itself a point worthy of criticism? Doesn't it trouble you that in 99% of cases you cannot with any real certainty quantify the position of the Holy Father on issues upon which he has chosen to opine? What does that say about his teaching authority? I will grant that it is worse if the pope proclaims obvious heresy, but if the only response is that we cannot be absolutely certain that the heretical things attributed to him were really what me meant to say at that time then I am lost as to why that is really that much better.