I had reported about the recently closer ties between the Anglican and Catholic churches, apparently for political reasons. Let's not forget also that Queen Elizabeth II is a Knight of the Golden Fleece deferring to Juan Carlos, i.e. Rome

http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKTRE53Q4FY20090427

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Golden_Fleece

and I am sure there are lots of other ties I have not explored as well.

The pope is busy making alliances right and left: Russia, the Arab world, Great Britain.... what a friendly guy, you would think.