The phrase "give the Devil his due" is particulalry appropriate here.

You don't maintain that level of access and influence through that many administrations by being an idiot. Nor do you get it by calling them as you see them.

He's a pope, in the 12'th/13'th Century style. Fortunately, there is no succession, and his line will die with him. Otherwise, the next one, or the one after, would go down in extreme disgrace.

His power depends on flattering and legitimizing rulers who need flattering and legitimizing.