Far from being at the service of kings and superpowers as it has been in the past, the Catholic Church seems to be building a new humanism. Its message is to enhance the dignity of all men (especially the weak) and inspire a moral balance (especially to the powerful). In these regards, the process revived by Pope Francis is in line with the original role of the Church as a global moral guide independent of the secular power.
This is not a declining power
Both in Western Asia and in Eastern Europe, the United States seem to have won the confrontation with Russia. This fact is at odds with the usual interpretation of a declining power. However, the traditional ties with Europe are weakening.