[P]ertaining to Pope John Paul II, one can only hope that the possibility set forth by Edward W. A. Koehler in his "A Summary of Christian Doctrine” (Of the Church, p. 277) took place by God's grace: “While we designate the Pope as the antichrist we do not deny that it is possible for the individual Pope to be saved. If in the hour of death he simply trusts in the saving merits of Christ he will be saved even as the malefactor on the cross was saved."

Schulz, Reuel. Is the Pope Dead? pg. 2
April 11, 2005. Christian News, Vol. 43, No. 15

[T]he old Iowa Synod position… labeled the doctrine of the Antichrist an “open question.”… Iowa’s theologians wanted to leave open the possibility that someone or something in the future other than the papacy might fit the description of the Antichrist more closely. Their approach betrayed their lack of understanding of the nature of the papacy and their doubts about the doctrine…

Some of the Jews of Jesus’ day saw and heard Jesus and wondered, “Could this be the Christ?” Once they were convinced he was, they did not say, “We believe that Jesus is the Christ unless someone else comes along who fits the description better.” Such a statement would have betrayed the fact that they were rather unsure that Jesus was their Savior. Those who contend that someone or something in the future might fit the description of the Antichrist better than the Roman Papacy are really expressing their doubts that the papacy is the Antichrist.

Brenner, John M. Is the Identification of the Pope as the Antichrist Still Binding? p. 151,152
Spring 2004. Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly – News and Comments, Vol. 101, No. 2

Another example of religious distortions is the result of the state’s insistence that the Roman Catholic Church at the Vatican cannot “interfere” in the affairs of the Chinese Catholic Church. The resulting distortions are that, firstly, the Vatican is not officially permitted by the state to recognize Chinese bishops – although in practice, most Chinese bishops have actively sought and received “unofficial” sanction by the Vatican – and, secondly, that public references to the Pope as the supreme Catholic church authority are discouraged. The regime has justified this policy by stating repeatedly that the Vatican is a foreign state and that the “Chinese people” will never permit foreign interference in their internal affairs, including religious matters.

Hornemann, Magda. China: “Religious distortion” and religious freedom
November 26, 2004. Forum 18 News

I wonder if things are still the same in China?

(London) Caged and barely clothed within a rocky enclosure, eight British men and women monkeyed around Friday for an amused, bemused crowd behind a sign reading “Warning: Humans in their Natural Environment.”

…Visitors stopped to point and laugh, and several children could be heard asking “why are there people in there?”

London Zoo spokeswoman Polly Wills said that’s exactly the question the zoo wants to answer.

“Seeing people in a different environment, among other animals ... teaches members of the public that the human is just another primate,” Wills said.

…Chemist Tom Mahoney, 26, decided to participate after his friend sent him an e-mail about the contest as a joke. Anything that draws attention to apes, he said, has his support.

“A lot of people think humans are above other animals,” he said. “When they see humans as animals, here, it kind of reminds us that we’re not that special.”

Vinograd, Cassandra. Humans Are One on Display at London Zoo
August 26, 2005. Associated Press – Odd News

I see people act like animals all of the time, and it's shameful. God obviously made us different. He gave us reason and a soul. For the way that we fail to live up to God's will, we ought to be grouped with the animals and locked up. But I guess that comes after death... and there won't be animals in hell, because they have no soul and no moral obligation. Will there be humans? Oh yeah! Saddly enough...

But if you were impressed by these people humbling themselves in a public zoo, acting like animals... wasn't Christ's humility all the greater! And it wasn't symbolic, a PR deal. He came to take our place, live the morally responsible life, we've abandoned... suffered the punishment for our rebellious, barbarous lifestyle, and earned for us a place of freedom. Indeed he is God's Chosen, who "sets the prisoner free!"

When our granddaughter was 4, she came to the table one day in a disgruntled mood. She complained loudly about every dish on the table. Hoping to change the mood, her mother suggested that she give the blessing. After a sullen pause, she prayed, “OK, God, I forgive you for this food.”

Taylor, Arden. Christian Reader, “Lite Fare.”