Why does a religion (RCC) also operate as a city-state, with ambassadors, hangers-on and flacks? And, please don't answer that it is about history, the Italian princes, dukes, etc. That was trashed when Italy unified. My concern is having Ambassador/Cardinals like Eugene Pacelli (later, Pius XII), prancing around Europe circa 1928-34, negotiating with a certain dictator in Germany to "protect" the Church. No other religion has the gall to  believe it is to be granted diplomatic status! As last week's Gospel described, in one of Jesus' most notable comments, "Give to Caesar that which is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." Why did the RCC go so wrong?