There have been times, under a Leo, or a Gregory, or a Hildebrand, when it looked as if the papacy was a match for all comers. But in ordinary circumstances, although it has never ceased to preserve the tradition of doctrine and of moral theory which (we believe) was handed down from the apostles, it has only succeeded partially and with great difficulty in combating the bad traditions of its own worldly supporters.
--Msgr. Ronald Knox,
Difficulties
