However, it is impossible that RCF's analysis explains ALL of the power held by B. The rest of the explanation, I think, is that B. held the USA's "blackball" (directly or indirectly) for the appointment of Bishops. They all owed him something, to one degree or another, and since Rome didn't seem to care about practices/policies, what's to quibble about?
One last thing: B had a "hold" on at least a couple of bigwigs in the Curia. Dead men tell no tales, as they say; with the threat out of the way, Rome will NOW have its say.