AFP
View of the procession of the Council Fathers Oc. 11, 1962 in front of Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, at the opening of the first session of the Second Vatican Council.

The pontificate of Pope Francis seems to feel most comfortable in the immediate post-conciliar period, yet those who desire to drag the Church back to 1972 must contend with the colossal interpretative legacy of John Paul II and Benedict XVI.