Changes

A '''Devil's advocate''' (in [[Latin]], ''Advocatus diaboli'') is a person who takes a position for the sake of argument, rather than out of conviction.

A '''Devil's advocate''' (in [[Latin]], ''Advocatus diaboli'') is a person who takes a position for the sake of argument, rather than out of conviction.  Often the purpose is to spur discussion on a topic, or to ensure that potential pitfalls are fully discussed, before a decision is made.

Originally, devil's advocates were appointed by the [[Roman Catholic Church]] to argue against the [[canonization]] of individuals.<ref>http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01168b.htm</ref> The post was abolished by Pope [[John Paul II]], allowing him to create and [[beatification|beatify]] an unprecedented number of [[saint]]s during his pontiffship.

Originally, devil's advocates were appointed by the [[Roman Catholic Church]] to argue against the [[canonization]] of individuals.<ref>http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01168b.htm</ref> The post was abolished by Pope [[John Paul II]], allowing him to create and [[beatification|beatify]] an unprecedented number of [[saint]]s during his pontiffship.