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In this article, as in the remaining ones of this question, St.
Thomas shows that it is proper for Christ to be the head of the
Church by a certain intrinsic influence of grace and justification,
because He has this power from habitual grace, inasmuch as it
presupposes the grace of union, to which is attributed the infinite
value of His merits.[1090] But to be the head of the Church in
its external government for a time befits the pope as regards the
Church militant during the time of his pontificate. In this way, he
is the vicar of Christ.
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