My understanding is that the Pope’s words only have official weight when he is speaking Ex Cathedra.
Unless he is issuing a formal statement he’s just another Bishop stating his personal opinion.
Ex Cathedra statements are the Catholic equivalent to a supreme Court decision, and also in the sense that they are carefully worded and usually the result of deliberation and consultation; the Pope giving a personal opinion to the press has no more formal import than any SCOTUS shooting their mouth off, sure you might want to listen closely and carefully, but it’s just another bigwig opining.
It’s a distinction most voters don’t make or understand. The pope was a coward to make those statements outside the US. Cross into SD and take your best shot. Also, he is meddling in a US election, but he knew that. Lastly, his church is responsible for numerous crimes against children and covering up those crimes and they have violated immigration laws by hiding illegals. So, I say, get back behind your own wall and pray form God’s forgiveness for sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.
Opinion of a “Cradle and committed Catholic: AMEN to that! Just as I can express my own opinion on any subject so can any other human being. Only when speaking “Ex Cathedra on matters of Faith and Morals” does the Pope express other than his personal opinion! I don’t believe his background in economics is all that great.