Special to El Rrun-Rrun
The phrase "How many divisions does the pope have?" is a famous rhetorical question asked by Joseph Stalin to Winston Churchill in 1944 to dismiss the Vatican's military power. The literal answer is none; the Vatican City State maintains no military divisions, as the Pope is the head of a religious organization.
The phrase emphasizes the contrast between material power and moral authority.
Context: Stalin asked this during the Potsdam Conference when Churchill noted the Pope would be displeased by a decision regarding Poland.
The phrase emphasizes the contrast between material power and moral authority.
Context: Stalin asked this during the Potsdam Conference when Churchill noted the Pope would be displeased by a decision regarding Poland.
Significance: While Stalin implied the Pope had no power without an army, the quote is often cited to show the enduring moral influence of the Papacy
.
Military Presence: The Pope has only the small, ceremonial Swiss Guard responsible for the security of the Vatican.
.
Military Presence: The Pope has only the small, ceremonial Swiss Guard responsible for the security of the Vatican.
Though the Vatican has no military divisions, many note that the Vatican has outlasted the Soviet Union, which did.
No comments:
Post a Comment