[Smocker]

The primary power of the Pope is to pick his college of cardinals. Like the supreme court, it isn’t an exact science.

Not exactly but I get your point, in the end though, they will all answer to the same Divine Authority.

[ichabod1]

I just mean, as I’m sure you probably know, it’s not a Pope says jump, Cardinal says how high sort of relationship. Pope is largely a Princeps or First Among Equals in relation to the CofC, but his biggest influence is appointing like minded individuals to the college as they attrit, so over time the Pope’s authority gets stronger, not weaker.