In March, the leader of the most powerful nation in the world toured the African continent for 12 days. United States President Bill Clinton and his large entourage visited six nations including the first ever visit by a U.S. president to South Africa. Mr. Clinton presented a list of four goals for African nations: nurturing democracy by protecting human rights; opening markets and improving education; putting a stop to violence, and protecting the environment. On the whole, the presidential trip was considered very successful reinforcing America’s position as the single superpower nation.
Yet the reach of the president of the most powerful nation in the world pales in comparison to the leader of one of the world’s smallest nations. This month’s article will examine the reach of the leader of the smallest nation in the world – the Vatican.
The nation and their leader
Vatican City is an independent state, under the absolute authority of the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. It is an enclave within Rome, Italy, with an area of 109 acres. Although it has no military, no natural resources, no deep-sea port, no manufacturing or industrial sector, it commands tremendous respect and influence around the globe, politically, financially and spiritually. It does so by establishing policies and procedures that affect close to one billion people. Almost 20% of the world’s total population has an affinity with this state. The current leader of this small, yet powerful nation, is the former Karol Wojtyla, more commonly known to the world as Pope John Paul II.
Since being elected to the Papacy in 1978, Pope John Paul II has set himself apart from his predecessors. He has made more journeys and visited more countries than any other Pope to date. As a result, he has been increasingly accepted by both followers and non-followers on a worldwide basis. In the 80’s, the Pope journeyed to Africa, Asia, and the Americas. In 1993, he visited the Baltic republics in what was the first Papal visit to countries of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Recently the Pope embarked on an ambitious tour of one of the last communist bastions left in the world, Cuba. The Pope was met by a large, enthusiastic crowd that measured in the millions during his five-day visit. The New York Times reported January 22, 1998: “The pope’s first visit to the Caribbean island, in the making for almost a decade and finally set just a year ago, began on an enthusiastic note as tens of thousands of Cubans lined the 10-mile roadway from the airport to Havana to greet the leader of the Roman Catholic church, some drawn by a religious faith that has survived 39 years of Communist rule, others by curiosity about a man they know little about.”
Throughout the centuries the Papacy has played a very significant and influential role in shaping policies, influencing governments and controlling empires. Today, the Prophecy continues to exert its influence both at home and abroad. It is interesting to compare and contrast the influence the Pope has as compared to the president of the United States. While Mr. Clinton is greeted by hundreds of thousands of people abroad, the Pope is greeted by millions. Whereas Mr. Clinton influences the world by transitory military and economic might, the Pope influences the world in the more stable spiritual and social arenas.
Forgiveness for the Holocaust
During the second world war, while millions of Jews were being systematically killed by the Nazi regime, the Pope, at that time Pius XII, remained silent on matters concerning the Holocaust. It was reported in the New York Times magazine, April 26, 1998: “Pius’ supporters depict him as the last diplomat, honoring Old World protocols as Europe fell to madness. He stayed neutral in order to be a peacemaker, they say, like the Prince of Peace himself. He spoke guardedly about the persecution of the Jews to avoid spurring Hitler to persecute even more.”
Some 50 years later, after 11 years of deliberation, the Vatican finally reached a consensus on this issue: “Christians need to repent for the Holocaust.” This so-called teaching document is the most comprehensive statement the Vatican has made on this matter. The document proposed that although there was plenty of anti-Judaism among Christians, the Nazi anti-Semitism was a pagan phenomenon.
Can this confession be construed as “political grandstanding” or as a true expression of repentance? If the Papacy had been truly horrified by the events of the Holocaust, it is certain they would have acted far sooner and with a much louder voice. A carefully-worded document some 50 years after the fact causes one to question the true intent of the heart.
The influence of the Papacy is as subtle and relevant now as it was centuries ago. Revelation details the role of this religious system, symbolizing it as a woman sitting on a scarlet beast and denoted, “Babylon the great, mother of harlots and of earth’s abominations” (Rev. 17:5). We are told that the ten horns (a united Europe) will be together with the beast (papal Rome) and will receive power for one hour. These kings are of one mind and give their power and authority to the beast, and they make war with the Lamb (Rev. 17:12-14).
We are living in these times and witnessing the gradual fulfillment of this prophecy. As we do so, we should remember, “The Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons…who forbid marriage and enjoin abstinence from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving” (I Tim. 4:1-3).
We’re even given a detailed account of the finality of Babylon’s future destruction, no doubt so that the saints can rest in hope that there is an end to Babylon’s pervasive apostate influence. “Alas! alas! thou great city, thou mighty city, Babylon! In one hour has thy judgment come…Rejoice over her, O heaven, O saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!” (Rev. 18:10,20 RSV).
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