As a Catholic, I am often struck by the fact that the papacy is one of the most misunderstood institutions of our times. Much of the commentary I have heard about the papacy, whether concerning John Paul II, Benedict XVI, Francis or Leo XIV, seems to insinuate that the Pope is equivalent to a leader of a political party or the CEO of a global franchise.
On this view, the Pope can steer the Church in a more “liberal” or “progressive” or “conservative” direction, depending on his personal opinion and preferred political ideology. For example, one pope might be in favour of women priests, another against; one might want to take a more lenient view of homosexual relations, while another might condemn them; one might soften the Church’s stance on abortion, while another might take a “harder line.”
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