Which people do you refer to as being slandered? Members of Opus Dei? If they didnt go around flagellating themselves like the crazy shiite Muslims, then maybe people wouldnt think they were a little weird and wouldnt be ready to believe even worse. And if you dont think there were political popes in the past 2000 years that didnt have the greatest moral character, then you are a fool. One pope did aid the French King in his torture and execution of Knights Templar in the 1300's. They reigned over the murder of many a person who didnt believe in Catholic dogma.
Christ mainly, but also slaughtered Constantine and several other historical figures.