I know that the Pope is the Vicar of Christ and the Voice of God on earth! When he speaks the case is closed; the matter decided. There is no appeal! The Pope is Lord over all the rulers and peoples of the earth!
You may remember the year j2p2 said no to women priests, but yes to lady acolytes? I think the acolytes issue came first but I don't recall. In any event our then bishop said about the acolytes, "Roma locuta, causa finita." BUT when the word about the women priests came down - and it came purty hard, as I recall, our bishop said,"Well, this is still not settled, there will certainly be some evolution of opinion, blah blah blah.