NO, not at all. The pope isn't simply a figure-head. That's the reason they choose them so old. Being old, they (normally) don't have time to build a personal following, and when they die, it's not too late to change some crazy laws the previous pope passed in case he was a little crazy...

But the pope really does hold the supreme authority of the Church, he ain't no figure head.
F L E S H Reviewed by F L E S H on . Saint's Prophecy: Only Two Popes Remain Saint's Prophecy: Only Two Popes Remain When the cardinals of the world pick John Paul II's successor, they may well be choosing the next-to-last pope. The pope who then follows this choice in the Chair of St. Peter will be the last pope, and after his reign Rome will be destroyed. Story Continues Below Rating: 5