I noticed a series of articles (here’s one example) about the ailing pope that were all based off a single AP article. I know because they all used this phrase:
With the pope hospitalized, most of the Vatican’s day-to-day operation are handled by the Curia: a well-oiled bureaucracy with centuries old roots.
Each time I read this, I reflected on the fact that they are not only well-oiled in the sense that their operation runs smoothly and without metaphorical friction, but also because they are all high ranking church officials who have doubtlessly been anointed several times and are, quite literally, well-oiled.