Nice metaphor. Francis is a Jesuit, and discerning the Spirits in one's prayer are a foundational component of Ignatian prayer. I think most of us adept at this form of "light mysticism," can "taste" in Francis incredible spontaneity, his apparent freedom to just say what is on his mind, that this man has graduated from the gateway to mysticism that is Ignatian prayer to formal mysticism. At least that is what I see. ;-}