>Once? Is that why I drive by a Vatican Embassy to the US when I visit
>Washington, and why the Vatican has representation on all sort of UN
bodies?
It's news to me, Leo. But does the Pope (and the Vatican) have actual power to go along with the prestige of his office (i.e. could he pass secular laws or preside over their being passed in the papal camera?), or does the Vatican/Catholic Church, like any other rich corporate body, just possess lots of influence (the Pope, being the titular leader, would have all that influence of the Catholic Church at his beck and call, more or less)?
Todd
P.S. Welcome back!