How much power has been left to the Pope nowadays?

[crazyorc]

..

[ivan_the_terrible]

I was kind of wondering the same thing. Could he theoretically still call a crusade...?

[PointOfViewGun]

I was kind of wondering the same thing. Could he theoretically still call a crusade...?

Would anyone care about such a call though? Yes, he still has some effect on the public on moral issues but I don't think any government would listen to Pope to the extent of waging war by his word. That would change a lot of things.

[Old_Scratch]

He still excommunicates people, but I don't know how long it's been since he's excommunicated the leader of a country. I don't think there are many Catholic national leaders these days anyway.

[ivan_the_terrible]

Would anyone care about such a call though? Yes, he still has some effect on the public on moral issues but I don't think any government would listen to Pope to the extent of waging war by his word. That would change a lot of things.

No, they probably wouldn't care. But theoretically, he could.

[Manco]

Very little power, but quite a lot of influence.

[DAVIDE]

Pope has just power of money and interference on internal and abroad politics of Italy

AND... the church owns thousands and thousands of buildings, outside vatican (not only churches.. but even palaces or joint ownerships where people lives.. )

AND... vatican did not pay the taxes for those buildings, because they do not consider themselves as italians..

THEY did not consider themselves as italians, BUT they can interfer into our politics!

our science or progress is stopping thanks for vatican. Stamina cells experiments are unlegal, clonation is unlegal etc etc

them. Italy's not catholic, i dont give a about what is ethic and what's not. If it was for me and thousands of italians who think like me, i will move vatican into greenland or north pole directly

[Lone rider]

our science or progress is stopping thanks for vatican. Stamina cells experiments are unlegal, clonation is unlegal etc etc

Im against cloning and stem cell so I`m glad he bans it.

[Tiwaz]

Im against cloning and stem cell so I`m glad he bans it.

Actually he does not even have power to do that.

In reality, Pope can scream and ban or order anything he wants... But except for rather small (on global importance scale very since they do not have that much wealth/power) gathering nobody gives a crap.

Some might justify by his dictates things they would have done anyway (not wearing rubber in sex) but very few actually do things because he says so.

[Dust be in Thy Mouth, Infidel!]

The power of the Force. (no offence)

[Garabet]

Who is Pope?

[DAVIDE]

Joseph Nazinger

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Mr. Pink]

Joseph Nazinger

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I'd stop posting stuff like that before people complain about it and you get banned mate.

[DAVIDE]

he was in hitler jugentude as he said in his biography. i have spoilered the image

[Bovril]

Theoretically the Catholic Church can sway ellections in South America, but the Church is not so monolithic, and difficult factions with in it, particularly the Jesuits, tend not to be as right wing as the Pope.

[0N3]

No power except controlling the most devoted catholics, not the average person in church;D

[awalanche]

It is obvious that Papacy is one of the richest in the world. However with this richness, it could not influence the world politics deeply.

I believe only has spiritual power but it is also limited. I remembered that he called not to be with prostitutes during EURO2008 at Germany but nobody cares .
Of course this case could not be generalized since there are Catholics who are believed in him and I totally respect that. And I believe he could also influence the science as in case of stem cell research

However he has a great influence on inter-religious affairs.

[DAVIDE]

It is obvious that Papacy is one of the richest in the world. However with this richness, it could not influence the world politics deeply.

I believe only has spiritual power but it is also limited. I remembered that he called not to be with prostitutes during EURO2008 at Germany but nobody cares .
Of course this case could not be generalized since there are Catholics who are believed in him and I totally respect that. And I believe he could also influence the science as in case of stem cell research

However he has a great influence on inter-religious affairs.

northern u go lesser the influence of pope. Infact as u well said, germans gives a of what pope says.. and it's what Italy has to do too.. but my country sucks

[husker9.2]

being a catholic i would say from my own point of view the pope's power has waned considerably. we barely even say his name in mass except when we mention him in prayer. The only real power he has anymore is to try and influence the catholic politicians when it comes to voting. and of course excommunicating, which i think he did here recently am i correct?

[DAVIDE]

being a catholic i would say from my own point of view the pope's power has waned considerably. we barely even say his name in mass except when we mention him in prayer. The only real power he has anymore is to try and influence the catholic politicians when it comes to voting. and of course excommunicating, which i think he did here recently am i correct?

u are correct. Infact has just religious remains of power, and they try to influence politicians sayin what is wrong what is right. But they have their hands even in many other interests.... economical interests