Pope Francis didn’t affirm same-sex marriage or lobby for ordaining women as priests. But he gently steered the Catholic Church in a more progressive direction while leading with compassion, openness and humility.

Pope Francis’ transformative vision for the American church made it more open, but also energized conservative resistance that further divided it.

A new pope does not swoop in and openly set about undoing the legacy of another. But a lot can change as far as style, emphasis, guidance and law.