I think he is admitting that much of the bible is tainted with human fallacy and should not be taken literally.

All Popes know this as they have access to the truths in the Vatican library and know how the scriptures have been manipulated.

What Pope is doing is being true to Christ's teachings rather than the propaganda man has added to the scriptures through the ages to control the masses.

God could not possibly be evil and being the cause of suffering and eternal torment is indeed evil.