Abstract

Pope Francis has challenged the Italian Catholicism. The paper looks at the benefits and contradictions in his style of governing the Church which mingles charisma and institutions, innovation and continuity, devolution and authority, decomposition and composition. Between approval and discontent the «Bergoglio's effect» produces in the Church a movement and a countermovement. Pope Francis charisma is exposed to the test of achieving the transformation his widespread consensus appears to allow for, being emotionally based on places and subjects who become key players of the changes anticipated by the Pontiff. It is a route that operates in a pluralist and secularised society and that has to overcome some resistance to change, that are internal to the Church institution which is founded on traditions. The outcomes of the new order that will follow Pope Francis' revolution remain uncertain.