Why Is Pope Francis Smiling?

In the modern era, Europe has never had fewer practicing Christians. The United States, according to a Pew survey released this week, is trending in the same direction, led by millennials wary of pontifical certainty.

So why is Pope Francis smiling? For that matter, how did a 78-year-old man with only one working lung become perhaps the most radiant, powerful and humane figure on the global stage? Itâ??s a paradox, but as much of the world has become less identified with organized religion, the leader of the most organized of religions is more popular than ever.