Today, the Pope addressed the Spanish parliament for the first time in history. According to recent surveys, only 18% of Spaniards identify themselves as practising Catholics and there is increasing secularisation of Spanish society. However, for the first time ever, the Pope was invited to address the Spanish parliament, Las Cortes Generales . The pope called for a 'moral renewal' in the political realm. He received a seven-minute standing ovation from parliamentarians as they cried out 'Long-live the Pope' in Spanish. No other religious leader has addressed the Spanish parliament before. However, we must remember that the Pope is not just a religious leader, he is the sovereign head, the absolute monarch, of a political state called the Holy See. Rome first came to power in the cusp of the decline of the Greek empire. In prophecy, the Bible describes the means through which it was able to rise to power. It says, "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand" (Daniel 8:25). Through peace treaties and policies that were suggestive of greater liberty to those under Greek rule, Rome was able to make significant inroads into the Greek empire. This continues to be the way that the remnants of that Roman empire, the Holy See, continues to work. It brings it Roman Catholic policies and talks of peace as it makes its rounds through the political world. Seen as harmless and benevolent, it has made consistent inroads into the nations of this world.