I find it fascinating that RCs see Jesus’ words in John 6 as literal (but not certain descriptions of Him Jn. 1, 2, 8, 10, 15, etc.), while Genesis 2, 3, the tower of babel, Balaam's donkey, Jonah and the fish, Joshua's long day, etc. are fables. Why does Rome sanction such?
As for why we see Jn. 6 as figurative, see one of the recent debates like here and here and links.
Jesus doesn’t soften his statement in John 6:53, He is very clear in response to the discussion detailed in John 6:52.
Furthermore, every serious Christian believed this for 1500+ years, until Luther decided that scandals & corruption in the church empowered him to toss aside a vow of celibacy and somehow gave him license to remove books from the Bible and personally interpret scripture.
It’s logically laughable in the face of history. Especially when one considers a new denomination has sprouted up on average every week or so since.