The Catholic Church is a Monarchy, the Pope its Monarch

“regarding the constitution of the Church... an error, long since condemned by Our predecessor, Innocent X, is being renewed... with no less falsity, one is invited to believe that the Catholic Church was not in the earliest days a sovereignty of one person, that is a monarchy; or that the primacy of the Catholic Church does not rest on valid arguments”

- Pope St. Pius X, From the letter "Ex quo" (December 26, 1910). Source: “EPISTOLA Ex quo. - Qua vulgatum scriptum quoddam reprobatur circa quaestionem de Ecclesiis ad catholicam unitatem revocandis” in ACTA APOSTOLICAE SEDIS, COMMENTARIUM OFFICIALE, ANNUS III, VOLUMEN III (1911), http://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS%2003%20%5B1911%5D%20-%20ocr.pdf

The Catholic Church is thus the world's oldest, continuous monarchy. The Pope has full and absolute executive, legislative and judicial power over the Holy See (Vatican City), as well as over the Apostolic See (the Roman Catholic Church). He is currently the only absolute monarch in Europe.

Pope Paul's Apostolic Constitution Romano Pontifici Eligendo (1975) in fact still required that the Pope be crowned and, while the new Apostolic Constitution (Universi Dominici Gregis, 1996) speaks ambiguously of the “inauguration” of the pontificate, this legal technicality has preserved the option of enthronement and coronation. Indeed, in his inauguration homily, Pope John Paul II said:

“In past centuries, when the Successor of Peter took possession of his See, the triregnum or tiara was placed on his head. The last Pope to be crowned was Paul VI in 1963, but… he… left his Successors free to decide in this regard” (HOMILY OF H.H. JOHN PAUL II FOR THE INAUGURATION OF HIS PONTIFICATE, 22 October 1978, www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1978/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19781022_inizio-pontificato_en.html).

The Triregnum (commonly known as the Papal Tiara) is formed by three crowns symbolizing the triple power of the Pope: father of kings, governor of the world and Vicar of Christ (Source: www.vatican.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/sp_ss_scv/insigne/triregno_en.html)

And so, the Catholic Church is a Monarchy, and the Pope is its Monarch...Does any of this really matter today?

It does, in fact, if one is committed to extending God's Kingdom here on earth, and if one is pledged to Serve the Faith, Defend the Church, and Promote Christendom and Peace.

One can be aided in this difficult fight by the knowledge and understanding that one's solemn, vows in these regards are to a "Body Public" governed by one's hierarchical superior, and not merely to some freely contracted group of peers. These vows thus have the character of obligations and responsibilities, and must be viewed as more than mere pious intentions. These vows retain something of their original feudal character, as oaths Knights have made to Defend a Sovereign. Through our Order, we are held to account for these oaths.

To be sure, our True King is none other than Christus Rex, and our Queen is His Most Blessed Mother Mary, but Christ's Vicar is also a King, here on earth. Indeed, as surely as Christ is a King of Kings and Lord or Lords, the Pope is our "Mesne Lord."

And this "Mesne Lord" is one charged with an extraordinary role. Indeed, St-Augustine of Hippo conceived of the Church as a Heavenly City or Kingdom, which will ultimately usher in the triumph of Love over all earthly empires. The Church can thus be considered the beginning of the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth, in its baptism of the Faithful to enable them to see the Kingdom (John 3: 3-5),  efforts to awaken the 'New Man' within us (Luke 17: 20-21), and admonitions to the Faithful to seek righteousnous above all other things (Matth. 6:19-33).

If there is one earthly Kingdom that still is clearly Christian and at the heart of the Christendom we are bound to promote, surely it is the Catholic Church.