Love em or hate em, the Popes quite often write some really thoughtful stuff that stands the test of time (e.g. they have threaded the needle on capitalism vs communism for more than a century).
replyFair, also reminds me of Liberation theology and good old Nixons acts against it. Those teachings/writings have also aged very well in my view, the oppositions less so.
replyIf I had to guess I think that’s probably a result of how they’re elected. It makes sense that kind of process involving people in those positions would result in someone insightful (most of the time that is. There’s definitely been some…interesting popes).
replyTo be even eligible of selection of being a pope is very hard. (Well technically being male and catholic is enough...) They are selected from cardinals. And cardinals in essence are the most politically successful, active and connected from priesthood. This includes also being good communicator with others in similar roles and above.
replyCatholic church in some sense is massive international company that only promotes internally. So at top you most likely end up with quite similar people who end up as executives in private companies.
And let's not forget that it is almost their only job to say or write believable bullshit for all occasions, all day long since leaving the theological school.
replyWhy is it that only Popes have this ability?
replyLots of people have the ability.
replyVery few who can get the global media to report what they say (and even Popes can only do it intermittently) both have the ability and the desire to use it.
Theyre mostly immune to lobbying.
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