The possible chronology of the end of the last papcy is interesting. Assume that the doctors told him on release that he was near the end, and he should reduce his activity, and begin to seek some peace. Of course, what followed was a whirlwind of political and spiritual activity. (Against the morbid background of speculation and media interest -- the new form of the fascination with death and the desire to anoint the corpse, perhaps.) The point, as one SJ once explained to a retreat I was attending, is to finish the roller-coaster ride with your arms raised and shouting in exhiliration. Perhaps.
Of course, this happens against the background of a two-thousand year old see of authority. So the energy, in keeping with the spirit of the age, and of his spiritual discipline, might have another context in the larger picture. But at least he was true to the spirit of the age and his discipline, rather than imitating some general notion. And perhaps the spirit of this age and this discipline will prevail within history. That's the thing about history. Things change.
Notable that in the seating arrangements, heads of republican states appear to have been granted a status equal to those of reigning houses. As mis-translated Mao had it, perhaps it's no longer too soon to tell.
Which is not to say that the republics aren't in a bit of a mess these days. Perhaps the real point is that going backwards is no longer an option. Or perhaps the equvalence suggests that it is an option. Or perhaps it was all the caprice of a diplomatic cadre appointed by a more liberal administration.
Time tells.