What if the Pope during World War II had been a JPII style opponent to Hitler? What do you think would have happened?
Let's all remember that the Pope orginally supported Hitler.
Let's all remember that the Pope orginally supported Hitler. That was before World War II. Then a new pope came and wanted nothing to do with the Fuhrer. Then the Catholic Church officially denounced him. Hitler really didn't care. Nothing happened.
So if we get a younger pope in there who survives into World War II, is a fanatical Christian (like Hitler) but is the opposite side of the religious spectrum we can have some fireworks. Since I have never really studied the Catholic Church, I can't throw out examples.
However, if Hitler asks Mussolini to "kindly blow off his head", he might (depending on how strong his faith is) or he might not. You may even see an Italy vs. Germany World War II.
Oh I know it wouldn't be a unifeid mass uprising, but if a popular pope exhorted catholics to resist as much as they thought they could, I could see the nazis having a lot more trouble.Unfortunately, while I realise its fun to imagine the Pope has but to wave his hand and Catholics everywhere will rise en masse equipped with pitchforks and torches but I am not totally convinced it is terribly accurate.
The pope gets arrested so he can make no more public statements and thats the end of it.