They were pointed, if fatherly, remarks that echoed the themes he has stressed in his papacy but ones that resonated all the more in a newly renovated cathedral surrounded by the luxurious shops of Fifth Avenue.
I'm not sure the meaning of the phrase "if fatherly" in the above sentence.
I'm not familiar with the syntax using the structure 'adjective, if adjective'.
Answer
It's as sumelic and DRF mentioned: it's probably the best (for learners who are unfamiliar with this structure) to read this if as although.
Your sentence:
They were pointed, if fatherly, remarks that echoed the themes ...
(= They were pointed remarks, although (they were) fatherly ones, that echoed the themes ...)
Practical English Usage by Michael Swan explains this if-structure, like this:
261.13 if meaning 'although'
In a formal style, if can be used with a similar meaning to although. This is common in the structure if + adjective (with no verb). If is not as definite as although; it can suggest that what is being talked about is a matter of opinion, or not very important.
His style, if simple, is pleasant to read.
The profits, if a little lower than last year's, are still extremely healthy.
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