Cardinal Wojtyla s election as Pope therefore had a significance far beyond the confines of the Church. Actually he himself did not like the identification of his church with civil society.

Vatican officials catch their share of criticism, not least from Francis himself. But their ranks include intelligent top rank officials led by the Pope s chief adviser, Cardinal Pietro Parolin who are experienced at working quietly for peace and social justice in some of the most perilous parts of the world.

Before Cardinal Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI, he gave an interview in which he deplored the industrial use of creatures such as hens living so packed together that they become just caricatures of birds. Unfortunately, right now, tens of billions of chickens are being forced to live this way indeed, mankind s realm is full of unnecessarily suffering animals.