I can't quite put my finger on it, but this pope reminds me of C. Everett Koop, Reagan's US Surgeon General, who found that he enjoyed the attention his office afforded him and stopped advocating for the truth as a result. I think Brian Kopp DPM summarized Francis' communication style accurately when he posted
He wants everyone to like him. So he tells people what he thinks they want to hear, or what he thinks will make them like him.