as they say in Mexico...EL WRONGO!!! the pope is the head of all who profess Christianity, just as the president is the leader of all Americans, Demos and Repubs....you may not agree with him, but he is still your president/pope.
people who profess no particular religion or those who are non-Christian, pay close attention to the Pope because he influences so many people....and they like him!!
....The pope is important to catholics, but does not speak FOR all but does speak TO all those that read or hear him the catholic belief. I never said if I agree or disagree with what he says, but it has no bearing on my belief. If that were true I would also be obligated to believe in all the saints that have been canonize. I would have to believe in Novenas, that wearing a certain cloth around my neck would mean hat Mary would see to it that I got everlasting life. Miraculous Metals, Our lady of Guadalupe, Fatima and many other things the popes have spoken of...Some catholics also believe that Mary is a Co-redemperous, I find some things catholic leaders speak of come close to blasphemy..The pope speaks for and to you....not me. Your saying it so, is part of your belief system not mine...There is much good in the Catholic church, but some really silly stuff according to only me, I speak for myself, you don't. God bless.
The influence of the Catholic Church on US politics has waned since the 1960s. Heck, they couldn’t even stop Gay Marriage in Portugal.