Reply #122: I think this Pope was actually quite radical....

[theboss]

His role in foreign affairs particularly those in Communist Countries was a far cry from the Church's hands-off policy of the previous hundred years or so.

On Edit:

I should also add that this Pope was very radical in terms of his consolidation of power. I don't know if any Pope has ever been the "face" of the Church in the sense that this one was. Any scholarship, etc. was pretty much in his name and his voice. He traveled everywhere. The role of the Cardinals', Bishops', etc seemed greatly reduced under this Pope.