I’d be REAL curious what he would consider to BE the benefit of the Church anyhow, if this were true. Folks don’t tithe a lot from food stamp cards, after all.
Being able to help pick and choose politicians, for one. If the Catholic Church were to gain another 15 million faithful Catholics who could be told, in a manner of speaking ,as to who to vote for that would have an effect on which politicians could be chosen.
It could cause politicians, on both sides and at all levels, to have some consideration for policies that are favourable to the Catholic Church.
Who effectively ruled the known world during the Middle Ages?
Maybe they’re a bit nostalgic for a bygone era?