[presidio9]

He also said "all who draw the sword will die be the sword," but that's neither here nor there.

The Pope is a spiritual shepherd, not a statesman.

[mallardx]

The Pope is a spiritual shepherd, not a statesman.

Then why did he basically state in a public fashion his opinions on the War in Iraq? And why did it sound so suspiciously Hollywood? Why didn't he speak out on the horrors of mass murder, and on the absurdity of totalitarian rule?

[Coleus]

The Pope is a spiritual shepherd, not a statesman.>>>>>

The Pope is a head of state as well, Vatican City is its own sovereign soil with the pope as it's head of state. The UN also recognizes it as a seaparate country with the Pope being the head where they appoint an ambassador to the UN.
That is why, constitutionally, the president, as chief ambassador, usually greets the pope when he comes to America. He doesn't have to do it with any other religious leader since they are not a head of state.