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In reply to the discussion: The Pope is resigning? [View all]hlthe2b
(101,730 posts)15. As head of more than a billion Catholics and the Vatican, he is a "Head of State"
Have you not been paying attention to the parade of world leaders over the past decades that travel to the Vatican (usually proximal to elections) to genuflect before the Pope?
Not to mention the countless wealth of the Vatican.
What "power" does he wield? Are you kidding me? It is hardly negligible.
I could not be more critical of this Pope and the Vatican in general. That said, to suggest the Pope to be "powerless" is really lacking in understanding, IMO.
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As head of more than a billion Catholics and the Vatican, he is a "Head of State"
hlthe2b
Feb 2013
#15
Defines Catholic policy--sets both tone and interpretation for Catholic theology...
hlthe2b
Feb 2013
#23
You see daily in our political discussions the power exerted by this and other religious hierarchies
hlthe2b
Feb 2013
#28
There are many Catholics, my parents included, who would bend to the Pope's will
Drahthaardogs
Feb 2013
#45
No - he's too old (over 80), even if the rules would allow an ex-pope to take part
muriel_volestrangler
Feb 2013
#19
2004: Cardinal Ratzinger Ordered John Kerry Be Denied Communion before he was "promoted"
Kolesar
Feb 2013
#34
He wants to be able to devote more time to making the Death Star fully operational
MNBrewer
Feb 2013
#48