Just FYI, I’m an atheist who’s against organized religion. This pope was still much better than most, in that he tried to help poor people at least, and he was accepting of most other people, even if he didn’t necessarily agree with them.

A leader like him mitigates harm that would be done under someone else. It doesn’t mean I like him. I just prefer him (or someone like him) to other options. It isn’t an excuse. It’s just the best option, not that any of us get a choice. Not even Catholic followers do.