[BlatherNaut]

I don't think, however, you should attribute Burke's respectful, filial tone to some notion that he's cowed by fear of retaliation against himself or others.

I don't. I believe he exercises prudence.

the special veneration owed to the Successor of Peter.

We "venerate" the Blessed Mother, the Saints, and sacred relics, not popes (unless they are also saints).

[Mrs. Don-o]

Not so. The Church venerates people, places and things of all sorts which are connected with or dedicated in some special way to God. The Church shows outward signs of veneration by bowing, kissing, genuflecting, giving special clothing or adornment, giving special titles, incensing, etc.

You know very well that you have been incensed at church: you have been venerated. The altar itself is venerated. The Shroud of Turn is venerated, even though it has never been declared de fide to have been the authentic burial shroud of Our Lord.

When you die the priest will drape your coffin with a cloth representing your Baptismal garment and light the Paschal Candle to signify that in Baptism you were enlightened with the Light of Christ and we pray you have been mercifully gathered to Himself. Thus will even your corpse be venerated. And mine too, though I am a sinner.

So yes, we Catholics venerate the Pope. This is not latria and not hyperdulia, but such dulia as we give to any consecrated person, place, or object.

Venerate: not adore. There's an INFINITE distinction of kind (not just of degree) between veneration and adoration; and within veneration, there a very wide spectrum of degrees.