The Pope has taken conservative bishops and cardinals to task for the way they dress, suggesting their adherence to ostentatious styles reveals a “rigidity” of mind that in some cases may even reach a level of "mental instability" and "emotional deviation".

The Pope made his criticism of the sartorial preferences of traditional-leaning prelates – some of whom have opposed his more liberal efforts at reform in the Church – in his autobiography titled Hope, which was published on 14 January, reportsThe Times.