There is an old saying: "After a fat pope, a skinny pope." In other words, the conclaves have tended to elect a successor who is something of a contrast with his predecessor. even if dominated by cardinals appointed by the just deceased pontiff. The conclave that elected Francis was made up of an overwhelming majority of cardinals appointed by the conservatives John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
This is echoed by the Pope Benedict character in the film "Two Popes", addressing the Bergoglio (later Francis) character: "There's a saying: 'God always corrects one pope by presenting the world with another pope.’ I should . . . I’d like to see my correction.”