[Hermann the Cherusker]

“One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, must confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he remembers after having carefully examined his conscience.”

"Whose sins YOU forgive, they are forgiven them, whose sins YOU retain, they are retained." (St. John 20.23)

What was your objection again?

[FactQuest]

"Whose sins YOU forgive, they are forgiven them, whose sins YOU retain, they are retained." (St. John 20.23)

Jesus said this to the 12. Okay, actually, just the 10, Judas was gone, and Thomas wasn't present. So, how is it we make the leap from there to anyone else? And, if we somehow find valid, scriptural grounds to decide we can extend this promise to others, why just RCC Popes? Why not everybody? Or at least all Christian leaders?

It seems clear this was meant for the 11, and the 11 alone, Thomas' absense notwithstanding. We can't automatically extend every promise given to the apostles.