While Benedict wasn't terrible, I just didn't see a whole lot of compassion in the man, it's a shame that a lot of the scandals happened in his tenure. But Pope Francis strikes me similar to JPII- a man among the people, humble, gracious, actually believes in very deeply in using Christ to help others, which I have to admire even if I'm not religious.

I think it's a given that any Pope (and Pizzaboy said this before me) is going to be conservative on social issues, but I have a feeling Pope Francis isn't really focused on that. He's more about those who are less fortunate than politics.