John Paul II

I have been pleasantly surprised by the coverage and praise for the Pope's life and accomplishments. John Paul was an amazing man and had a Reagan like ability to communicate with anybody or group, even if there was an ideological divide. While I know the Pope is clearly the spiritual figure head of the Catholic church I have wondered if others in the Vatican pull the strings. It's clear the Pope isn't really the chief executive of the church's business affairs so its easy to imagine secrete societies and powerful figures in the church that the public isn't aware of. If speculation and conspiracy theories draws attention to the church and the positive aspects of it's ideology than that's great. It surely makes for great books and entertaining movie material. I think the choice for the next Pope could be pivotal to the churches survival.