Word: pontiff
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...that they loved him, the late Pontiff's bishops did not thrive under him. The language of the Second Vatican Council had seemed to promise greater "collegiality" between bishops and the Pope (whose office for centuries was less powerful than now). But John Paul did not see it that way. He applied theological litmus tests for bishops' appointments and required national bishops' conferences to clear statements on doctrine with the Vatican. "Even conservative Cardinals of large archdioceses have been unhappy with the way the Curia has interfered with their authority," says McBrien. "They want a Pope who will respect that...
...conclave that replaced John Paul might discount relatively youthful papabili like Schönborn, 60, and Rodríguez Maradiaga, 62. Reason: after John Paul's multidecade marathon, the electors would, as McBrien puts it, "be looking for a breather" and would try to avoid the possibility of another long-term Pontiff. There was much discussion of an older, interim figure, a caretaker who by definition would have to worry less about living up to John Paul's gargantuan legacy...
...final days. Vatican handicappers realized that there is a downside to an old Pope and a short papacy. A Vatican official who watched several electors view John Paul's body says, "The look in their eyes said the unstated, [that] the last thing we'd want is a decrepit [Pontiff]." Now fans of the interim solution have reluctantly had to return to regarding the full spectrum of Cardinal options...
...Paul II, Father Benedictus removed his 125 cc Honda motorcycle from the courtyard that doubles as his church. In full view of the neighbors?and, he assumes, plainclothes police?some 400 worshippers paraded down a quiet lane to the courtyard bearing candles and a memorial photograph of the deceased pontiff. During mass, they wept, prayed and lined up for communion. Authorities made no attempt to stop them. "As long as we don't protest or set off firecrackers, we're basically left alone," says Father Benedictus...
...purple vestments led prayers for his "peaceful enjoyment of heaven." This was the first time since Beijing severed relations with the Vatican in 1951 that worshippers in state-approved churches were allowed to commemorate a Pope's death. With China's approximately 10 million Catholics united in mourning the Pontiff, the divide between underground and official congregations was blurred. "Underground churches now often work openly in China, and official churches recognize the spiritual authority of the Pope," says Anthony Lam, senior researcher at the Holy Spirit Study Center in Hong Kong. The outpouring of grief, he says, "has brought...