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Apologies for the late response.

Stephen, I actually meant it relatively, but obviously I was still incorrect in expressing it. You're right. Everyone needs prayers of course. But in this context, we always pray for the Holy Father. That's not unusual. I think Our Lady made a point about it, specifically, to indicate that the triumph of her Immaculate Heart, and that of the Church would come about particularly through the prayers of the faithful, but not without prayers for the Holy Father.

So, that we would have Popes, but those given to human respect seems plausible. If indeed this is the hour of the Passion of Holy Church, then that seems to fit nicely, for St.Peter's moment of weakness was during the Passion of Our Lord.

Spiritus,

St.Catherine said, "Even if the Pope were Satan incarnate, we ought not to raise up our heads against him, but calmly lie down to rest on his bosom." I imagine she was talking about the laity here, so this is not to say that senior prelates cannot legitimately oppose a Pope in public, and to his face, sometimes, as St.Paul did. But, seriously, would you really prefer to have Popes who engage, say, in fornication, sire children etc as some have done in the past. I think those who admit there is a Pope, at least, should do as Our Lord said, with regard the Pharisees, not by any means to imitate their works ourselves, but certainly to respect the seat in which they sit.