Mercy and Manfred

[Chris]

I wonder how would Dante view the situation now? My bet is that he would be more pleased with the Pope, but less with our ruling elites. As a fervent proponent of separation of Church and State, would he be happy with the outcome or would he change his mind in some areas?

Great question.. in terms of the overall structure creating the conditions and stability for spiritual development etc., he might have been rather displeased perhaps.
In terms of Church/Popes.. I know way too little, but I think e.g. Benedict XVI was surprisingly aligned with the "Carro" idea; the dynamic unity of reason and faith, reason and spirit etc. 
He seems to have the "brain hemispheres" insights quite clear partly by instinct, perhaps.

Agreed about spiritual development, in terms of the popes, i think we were blessed for 4 times in the row now, they all seem to know Dante well, especially Francis and B16.