[metmom]

I wonder which one is binding on Catholics everywhere to believe?

[Mrs. Don-o]

If Pope Francis' statements are not in line with the Church's doctrine on faith and morals --- this is rooted in the Scriptures --- they obviously have no more authority than the two-cents-worth of Mr. Jorge Bergoglio.

It's only Catholic doctrine that's binding, not papal opinion.

In my girlhood, popes wisely refrained from spouting off on their person perspectives. That holy reticence has, unfortunately, waned in recent years.