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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"
Mon Feb 11, 2013, 08:26 AM
Feb 2013

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.

The Pope is resigning? [View all] Are_grits_groceries Feb 2013 OP
He wants to spend more time with The Family. Atman Feb 2013 #1
Don't buy that. Are_grits_groceries Feb 2013 #2
Power? Atman Feb 2013 #7
He still has a great deal of sway over Are_grits_groceries Feb 2013 #9
So? What does he do? Atman Feb 2013 #13
He could make the US Boy Sccouts d_r Feb 2013 #31
It's what he wears... fadedrose Feb 2013 #33
As head of more than a billion Catholics and the Vatican, he is a "Head of State" hlthe2b Feb 2013 #15
So what does he DO? Atman Feb 2013 #21
Defines Catholic policy--sets both tone and interpretation for Catholic theology... hlthe2b Feb 2013 #23
I can easily question his power. Atman Feb 2013 #25
You see daily in our political discussions the power exerted by this and other religious hierarchies hlthe2b Feb 2013 #28
He sets the path of the Catholic Church. Are_grits_groceries Feb 2013 #30
You were doing okay there for a minute... Atman Feb 2013 #37
Who says it has to have done good? Are_grits_groceries Feb 2013 #39
It's the CHURCH! Atman Feb 2013 #62
You seem to be confused. Bradical79 Feb 2013 #46
He obviously has an affect on you.... blueamy66 Feb 2013 #43
There are many Catholics, my parents included, who would bend to the Pope's will Drahthaardogs Feb 2013 #45
Are you serious? Drahthaardogs Feb 2013 #44
He is gonna run Santorum's '16 Presidential campaign Motown_Johnny Feb 2013 #50
lol eShirl Feb 2013 #4
He's too pooped to pope RudynJack Feb 2013 #3
Is the Pope Catholic? pinboy3niner Feb 2013 #5
Probably Are_grits_groceries Feb 2013 #6
Is a bullfrog waterproof? pinboy3niner Feb 2013 #20
Interesting reasons for resigning on link below newfie11 Feb 2013 #8
Link works. Are_grits_groceries Feb 2013 #10
Will he be part of the College of Cardinals that chooses annabanana Feb 2013 #11
I was wondering the same thing. Renew Deal Feb 2013 #17
That's exactly it. ananda Feb 2013 #40
No - he's too old (over 80), even if the rules would allow an ex-pope to take part muriel_volestrangler Feb 2013 #19
He said from the beginning that he would only serve FarPoint Feb 2013 #12
"The decision ... took even the Vatican hierarchy by surprise" eShirl Feb 2013 #14
Hey, he's giving two weeks notice BeyondGeography Feb 2013 #16
Wonder if he has a non-compete... KatyMan Feb 2013 #41
Lol BeyondGeography Feb 2013 #42
The cardinals knew something was up KatyMan Feb 2013 #47
G'bye. Don't let the door hit ya. Nt xchrom Feb 2013 #18
Well....one less former Hitler Youth in a position of global authority.... OldDem2012 Feb 2013 #22
I'm betting evidence is about to surface... backscatter712 Feb 2013 #52
So Obama outlasted him ButterflyBlood Feb 2013 #24
An optomistic note! ... eom Kolesar Feb 2013 #36
Maybe he has guilt... MrMickeysMom Feb 2013 #26
The Dude's 85... KharmaTrain Feb 2013 #27
Let's hope they elect a Democrat this time... Bucky Feb 2013 #29
Almost unprecedented TexasPaganDem Feb 2013 #32
Be careful what you wish for. Are_grits_groceries Feb 2013 #35
My worry is that it will be Mpls./St. Paul's Archbishop John Nienstedt. glinda Feb 2013 #49
2004: Cardinal Ratzinger Ordered John Kerry Be Denied Communion before he was "promoted" Kolesar Feb 2013 #34
First time since the Middle Ages. LWolf Feb 2013 #38
He wants to be able to devote more time to making the Death Star fully operational MNBrewer Feb 2013 #48
If it were mere dementia, they'd keep him on ChairmanAgnostic Feb 2013 #51
Agreed.. The last Pope SomethingFishy Feb 2013 #53
I'm with you there. backscatter712 Feb 2013 #61
Alzheimer's? caseymoz Feb 2013 #54
He's pulling a Palin.... lumberingbear Feb 2013 #55
I thought they got the job for life. I've NEVER kestrel91316 Feb 2013 #56
It has been done cate94 Feb 2013 #57
BREAKING: Dick Morris predicts Romney will be elected pope in a landslide. NYC Liberal Feb 2013 #58
It will be interesting to see if Bertone is elected lovuian Feb 2013 #59
I say he's being forced out. WinkyDink Feb 2013 #60
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