Christopher White writes:

Substantively, the two men are quite similar. They’re motivated by a vision of a Church that stands with the poor and marginalized. They both recognize that the Church’s structures have to be remade and rethought to become more inclusive and more welcoming, where Catholics feel as if they are more heard inside their own Church. On that front, they are cut from the same cloth.

Stylistically, they’re very different personalities. Francis was a maverick. He really challenged the system as an outsider who shunned protocol. He was an unscripted individual who thought he could help shake up the Church. For 13 years, he kept everyone on their toes. Leo is different personality-wise. He’s much more cautious. He is scripted. I think he’s steely in his determination, like Francis, but he’s much more predictable in how he goes about things.