Is Pope Leo XIV Just Francis MK II?

I really enoyed chatting to my friend Father Alexander Lucie-Smith who has a "mind like a well ordered filing cabinet", about how Pope Leo XIV is doing as Pope 2 months into his Pontificate. This is prompted by Father writing a very good article on his Substack on this subject, which you can find here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-168454333

Father Alexander Lucie-Smith is a very interesting person! He was born on July 8, 1958, in Chingola, Zambia, and with familial roots tracing back to Trinidad and Tobago, has lived a multifaceted life as a British Catholic priest, moral theologian, author, and insightful commentator on faith and culture. His early education took him to St. Edward's College in Malta until the age of 12, after which he pursued ecclesiastical studies, leading to his ordination as a priest on July 3, 1982, at just 24 years old; he later earned a doctorate in moral theology to deepen his scholarly pursuits. Spending eight formative years in Italy, he immersed himself in the complexities of Sicilian society, exploring themes of culture, poverty, and organised crime that would shape his worldview. Today, he serves in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton in the UK, where he has been parish priest at St. Clement's Church in Ewell—following a tenure at St. Peter's in Hove—overseeing daily Masses, educational programs like acseries on Catholicism, and vibrant community initiatives. As a prolific writer, Lucie-Smith has penned popular novels such as The Chemist of Catania and The Nymph of Syracuse, (available on Amazon) weaving together narratives of faith, redemption, and Italian intrigue, while maintaining a Substack newsletter that delves into travel, culture, and theology; his articles also grace publications like the Catholic Herald, Church Times, and Slightly Foxed, where he addresses ethical dilemmas, Christianity's role in society, and beyond. Extending his reach through media, he engages audiences on X under the handle @ALucieSmith, shares discussions on YouTube and Radio Maria England, and consistently highlights the enduring allure of Christianity as a path to inner redemption amidst the distractions of modern life. His post on Pope Leo XIV is HERE please do subscribe to his Substack! If you want to follow Mark on X you can find him @sitsio