Pope John Paul II has pursued a Sun Belt strategy by courting Africa, Asia, and Latin America and probably not minding if Europe and North America drift away. The people are the church, not the pope. That is the bold theme of ''Papal Sin,'' echoing earlier critics of durable and loving faith. Lord Acton was sceptical of power. If there is any presumption it is the other way, against holders of power, increasing as the power increases.
Historic responsibility has to make up for the want of legal responsibility.
Maybe Garry Wills, along with other doubters, will inhabit purgatory for an eon or two. But when he gets there, he'll be in good company. The place could be crowded with popes. Martin F. Nolan's column appears regularly in the Globe. Copyright 2000 Globe Newspaper Company.