I share Laurent's thoughts. I'm also a non believer but I respect the historical event and what it represents for billions of people.

But the hope for reforms in the Catholic Church is nothing more than a delusion.
Catholicism is about tradition and tradition is conservative.

There's a lot of issues that are weakening the Church in the last two decades. Pedophilia among priests is one of the worst of them. How ypu deal with that if not with iron fist?

And choosing a 76 year old guy sends a sign that they don't want anybody staying more that 8 to 10 years as a Pope. Maybe THIS is a sign of a little change.