does the pope have any real political power?

Answer 1

No, merely a symbolic figure of a worldwide cult.

Answer 2

In a way the Pope has considerable power over the Catholic Church and it's congregation[s]. If for example the Pope were to issue an instruction to all Catholics, then indeed we can see just how powerful the Pope could be.

I'm sure that the Pope [known here in UK as the Bishop of Rome] knows his powers and uses them with considerable care. Remember, this is a Pope who had been a member of the Hitler Youth.

Got to be careful. Protestants are already sneering at this Pope. Just don't go down the political road. Leave that to the political elite and the mad mob - we the plebs.

Answer 3

Not really. He controls Vatican City but what is that? His home? The Pope's power comes from the people who believe in him and there are many in many countries which makes his statements important to the world. In these days of religious wars he can play a very important part by trying to bring the Muslim world to co-exist with Christianity. I think Osama Bin Laden wants to resurrect the crusades and the Pope's response may be more important than any other.

Answer 4

A bit.

The Church is primarily a spiritual body. But she is also a moral teacher.

If people are going to make moral issues into political ones then they should not complain when the Church uses its freedoms of speech and religion.

When you look at the 1.1 billion believers worshiping in over 200,000 parishes worldwide you can see that the Catholic Church is a spiritual entity.

However the Church is also a moral teacher and has been teaching the world what it believes God thinks is right and wrong for almost 2,000 years.

The Church looks to protect human dignity and human rights and does not for look for political power. Church leaders are barred from political office by Church law (not civil law).

Jesus said, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:18-20)

The Catholic Church has been teaching world governments what it believes is right and wrong since the ancient Romans stopped persecuting it and long before anyone heard of the freedom of speech.

The Catholic Church protested about the blood sports in the Roman Colosseum and they were stopped.

The Catholic Church supported the Polish Solidarity movement and the Soviet Union fell apart.

I don't think the Church is going to (or should) stop teaching the world governments what is right or wrong now.

Remember the Catholic Church proposes. It does not impose.

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

Yes, most definitely. In fact, the papacy has retained most of the oldest political rites of elections, coronation, reign, succession, in Europe.

This is a suggested book to read.
The Papal Prince: One Body and Two Souls. The Papal Monarchy in Early Modern Europe by Paolo Prodi, Susan Haskins

and wilkepedia says the rest: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope

Answer 6

It's more like political influence.

Answer 7

Very little - Hes only a figurehead -he can plead ask and advise - possibley he can change- the 'official' view of what catholics should be doing or not (often the abortion 'ideal' comes up) .

Makes me laugh when every christmas he and other 'leaders' plead for world peace - what good has it done yet ?
........Silly pleaders

Answer 8

Not really

the Popes of old...they had REAL power and weren't afraid to use it

Answer 9

Very much so. He is the mouthpiece of the whole Catholic world, and papal doctrine has had a huge influence on such things as abortion and birth control.

Answer 10

Yes, he is head of state of his own country: Vatican City.