Very interesting time for the Catholic Church.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12272b.htm
If you read some of the stories of previous Popes you get an idea why a humble one is such a change. Contrast him with the 224th Pope-- Pope Paul IV--
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Paul_IV
"Carafa hated by the devil and the sky
is buried here with his rotting corpse,
Erebus has taken the spirit;
he hated peace on earth, our faith he contested.
He ruined the church and the people, men and sky offended;
treacherous friend, suppliant with the army which was fatal to him.
You want to know more? Pope was him and that is enough."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasquino