Africa & Global Power

Following the demise of Pope Francis, soon a new Pope will ascend the throne of Saint Peter. But who is a Pope, What are his role, power, duties and obligations? Who is a Pope? A Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the Vicar of Christ on Earth. He is the Successor of Saint Peter, whom Jesus appointed as the visible leader of His Church (cf. Matthew 16,18–19). He is not a king in worldly terms, but he bears a divine office that involves spiritual leadership over more than a billion Catholics. How is the Pope elected? After a pope dies or resigns, the College of Cardinals meets in a conclave inside the Vatican. They vote in secret until a candidate receives at least two-thirds of the votes. Once a man accepts his election, he immediately becomes the Pope, no need for ordination (unless he’s not already a bishop). His first public act is usually the Urbi et Orbi blessing, "to the City and to the World." Pope's spiritual responsibilities. The Pope is the chief shepherd...

Historical context of the Continental System   The Continental System was a trade embargo initiated by Napoleon Bonaparte on November 21, 1806, with the Berlin Decree, during the Napoleonic Wars. Its primary objective was to weaken Britain's economy by cutting off its access to continental European markets, aiming to force Britain into submission by disrupting its trade, which was vital for its industrial and economic strength. The system was part of a broader strategy to counter Britain's naval blockade of French coasts, enacted on May 16, 1806, and was intended to establish French economic hegemony in Europe (Continental System - Wikipedia). The implementation required European countries under French control or influence to enforce the blockade, prohibiting British goods and commerce from entering the continent. This was reinforced by subsequent decrees, such as the Milan Decree of 1807, which extended the embargo to neutrals trading with Britain. However, enforce...