If you are not Catholic why do you care anything about the Pope?

[upaloopa]

I always wondered why so many people care about the Pope.
I am a recovering Catholic and I don't care one way or the other about the Pope.

[tularetom]

1. I'm not and I don't

I just wish he'd quit shitting in the woods.

[Wait Wut]

2. Probably the same reason...

...people care about the 'Royal Family' even though they aren't British.

[quakerboy]

86. Maybe, maybe not

Humans do seem to like a show, so on that side of things, sure.

But unlike the royal family, the pope does have some temporal power, even in our country. The kind of power that can nudge the world toward being a bit more harmonious or toward more discord. The kind of power where they can publicly declaim someone who would deny aid to the poor(paul ryan and ayn rand, anyone?). This person will at the very least have power to point us toward more abused children and coverups or towards less.

[MichaelMcGuire]

113. The queen does have power nt

[quakerboy]

139. And which power would that be?

Specifically. And specifically which of those powers are allowed to the rest of the royal family as well?

[MichaelMcGuire]

146. Really? Well I'll come back to answer later tonight

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. I'm not, and I don't.

And I can't figure out what all the fuss is about. Yes, there are a lot of Catholics, but why should anyone else care who gets to wear the weird pointy hat and the red shoes?

[ProdigalJunkMail]

4. as a non-Catholic

i find the whole thing interesting. kind of like being interested in an election in another country would be interesting.

sP

[TheMastersNemesis]

5. It's Just Another Dirty Old Man Elected By A Bunch Of Other Dirty Old Men In Red

[SharonAnn]

17. Actually, he's elected by a bunch of bachelors in dresses.

[BainsBane]

23. Those are some pretty sharp dresses

[Swede Atlanta]

6. We care because he is a public and influential figure on the world stage....

As a Lutheran we of course have our views of the Catholic Church as corrupt and eliminated the adoration of Mary, the proliferation of saints and any belief that the pope is God's representative on earth.

That said, the pope is the head of an immensely wealthy and influential organization of 1.2 billion people. He has persona influence with leaders and people globally.

So who is elected and his policies and management of the RCC have at least some indirect effect on all of us, not only members of the RCC.

[Lucinda]

13. This:

"...the pope is the head of an immensely wealthy and influential organization of 1.2 billion people. He has persona influence with leaders and people globally.

So who is elected and his policies and management of the RCC have at least some indirect effect on all of us, not only members of the RCC."

[Cha]

15. Exactly, S A. Same reason many of us who are non

religious were disappointed when Pope Benedict was elected. And, that didn't end well. Too much influence on the masses.. although, it seems to be dwindling.

[Auntie Bush]

45. Thank you for putting my thoughts and belief in print.

That is EXACTLY why I care!

[backscatter712]

100. Exactly - his edicts have an effect on everyone.

As an atheist, I'm affected - his condemnations of atheism generate more hostile behavior towards me.

His dumbfuckery, such as declaring condoms to be spreaders of AIDS, has probably killed tens of thousands in Africa.

The RCC spent millions attacking the GLBT community, and pushing for crap like Proposition 8.

So, yeah, I'm watching.

[Arugula Latte]

121. ^ Good post ^

As you point out, the dumbfuckery of the RCC is not done in a vacuum and has caused untold suffering and death...and that's been going on for centuries.

Not that other religions haven't spread plenty o' ignorance, misery and death as well...

[Sissyk]

127. Very off topic,

but I can't stop looking at the penguins!!!

[Arugula Latte]

128. It's sort of hypnotizing.

[cordelia]

115. Excellent summary.

[IdaBriggs]

122. ^== This. GREAT answer. nt

[tritsofme]

7. Choosing the spiritual leader of 1 billion+ people is a pretty significant event.

I don't know if people really care, or like me just find the whole process interesting.

[dimbear]

74. That's it right there. It's significant. The RCC is expected to continue as usual, another

rightwinger, and alert citizens ought to know.

[NRaleighLiberal]

8. I am not and I do not. n/t

[quinnox]

9. I don't

[Lars39]

10. Because the Vatican is considered a country and the Pope head of that country.

(Thank you, Saint Ronnie once more )
And as such we should care, because they are using their diplomatic clout to influence how birth control and family planning is funded in countries all over the world, via the UN.

[Posteritatis]

42. Uh, the Vatican's been an independent state since the twenties

Or much earlier, depending on how you count.

The US sent envoys through a good chunk of the years prior to 1984 on various informal levels, and the prohibition on diplomatic relations with the Vatican didn't involve much reasoning that warrants pride to say the least.

[Lars39]

58. Interesting

[Populist_Prole]

11. I'm not speaking for myself, but I think people follow it just because it's in the news and in play

Suuuurrreee the media predictably bleat about how they're just reporting what's happening or on what people are talking about; but we know damned well they manufacture enough "news" to prime the pump and then enjoy the ratings bonanza. With the advent of dedicated 24/7 news channels, it's definitely gotten worse.

[Cirque du So-What]

12. I care about the influence that the pope wields around the world

For instance, I would like to see a spiritual figurehead who won't rail against the use of condoms in the prevention of AIDS, which affects the lives of millions of people - especially in Africa. It's not likely to happen, as most of the major condenders are reactionaries who will fight to keep the RCC mired in the middle ages.

[Buzz Clik]

14. I'm surprised you had to ask. You will find out...

[11 Bravo]

16. If you're not Tibetan, why do you care anything about the Dalai Lama?

[upaloopa]

19. Because I am a Buddhist and I like

what he has to say and teach.

[backscatter712]

101. I'm not a Buddhist, and I like a lot of what the Dalai Lama has to say and teach. n/t

[HiPointDem]

111. how do you feel about his cia ties?

No mere spiritual leader, he was the head of Tibet's government when he went into exile in 1959. It was a state apparatus run by aristocratic, nepotistic monks that collected taxes, jailed and tortured dissenters and engaged in all the usual political intrigues. (The Dalai Lama's own father was almost certainly murdered in 1946, the consequence of a coup plot.)

The government set up in exile in India and, at least until the 1970s, received $US1.7 million a year from the CIA.

The money was to pay for guerilla operations against the Chinese, notwithstanding the Dalai Lama's public stance in support of non-violence, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

The Dalai Lama himself was on the CIA's payroll from the late 1950s until 1974, reportedly receiving $US15,000 a month ($US180,000 a year).

http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/behind-dalai-lamas-holy-cloak/2007/05/22/1179601410290.html

[JVS]

116. Because I oppose theocracy

[DisgustipatedinCA]

18. If he'd stay the hell out of ACA, that would be a start

It's also not real helpful that the Pope and the Catholic church preach to the third world that contraception is a sin.
And although I don't believe the Pope himself has said anything directly, in every recent election cycle, some Monsignor or another will pimp for Republicans based on the issue of abortion. In short, the Pope is doing active harm in the world, and it spreads beyond members of the Catholic church.

[BainsBane]

24. He does, but the US Council of Bishops doesn't

and they damn well should.

[UTUSN]

28. ^^^^This. Supposed Catholics bending the Supreme Court & other public policy & discourse. n/t

[Paulie]

20. Rather talk Pope than Paul Ryan

[BainsBane]

25. You could never write a Da Vinci code about Ryan

No one would make it past page 3 before falling asleep.

[madinmaryland]

37. I think that was a book by Ayn Rand. nt

[babylonsister]

61. Ha!

[freshwest]

36. Same here. Ryan is legally in our government making mischief.

I find European politics mysterious. The American version, mainly the conservative one, is dangerous and obnoxious. As others have said, over a billion people see this as important, so it affects everyone.

[lastlib]

21. Well, think back to John Paul II and his influence with the Solidarity movement....

...how much of a positive impact did that have on the world?

Yes, I believe it can make a difference. But I am not sure it will......

[Bjorn Against]

22. Because he is the world's most influential homophobic bigot

When a person spreads hate speech to hundreds of millions of people worldwide they do great harm, the Catholic church has spent millions to influence public policy to restrict gay rights and women's rights and we can't ignore the damage the Pope does with his bigotry.

[upaloopa]

29. But you have no influence on him.

[Bjorn Against]

32. Maybe if enough people spoke out the Pope would lose influence

The only reason the Pope is such a powerful bigot is the Catholic Church has so many members, the more people that leave the Catholic Church the less power they have. I may not influence the Pope personally, but if millions of people speak out against the bigotry of the Pope it might have an impact.

[Arugula Latte]

123. It's happening. The RCC used to be all-powerful in several countries such as

Ireland, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, etc...No more. Its bigotry, misogyny, homophobia and and child-rape covering up, coupled with a general rejection of superstition and religion in 1st world countries, are turning people against it en masse in Europe and the Americas. Unfortunately it's gaining ground in Africa and Asia.

[whathehell]

126. Oh please..."most" influential?...There are loads of protestants

and muslims, by the way, who are equally bigoted on the subject.

[Bjorn Against]

140. Yes, the most influential

You may be able to name loads more people who are equally bigoted or more so, but I challenge you to name a single one who is more influential. The Pope reaches hundreds of millions of people across the globe. You may know of many protestants who are just as bigoted, but name me even one of them that reaches as many people as the Pope does.

[joeybee12]

26. Probably because the Pope and the Church have a lot of influence in politics...

Look how the freaking bishops are fighting against choice here in the US.

[aikoaiko]

27. I think for the same reason I'm interesting in UK royalty, but I'm not British

Organizations following centuries old traditions are inherently interesting to me.

[olddots]

30. As an Atheist

I find you humans quite interesting ..... burp

[Fumesucker]

31. Vegetarian eat vegetables

Beware of humanitarians.

[hrmjustin]

33. Former Roman Catholic turned Episcopalian.

I care because of relations with other denominations are affected by who gets in. The pope has a lot of influence world wide. Plus I like a good production and I am sucker for a good Liturgy.

[Freddie]

50. Me too! (Lutheran here)

Sometimes I'm attracted to the rituals of the Catholic Church even though as a pro-choice feminist I find their worldview abhorrent. As a Christian the Pope does matter even if he's not "my" leader.

[hrmjustin]

67. Lutherans and Episcopalians are kissing cousins.

[JI7]

34. because they try to influence and push laws on others including those of us who aren't Catholic

[Posteritatis]

35. Because my world is larger than things which only directly affect me personally. (nt)

[onenote]

88. Ding Ding Ding!!! We have a winner.

Very well put. What is sad is the number of DUers in threads like this that seem to wear as a badge of honor their desire to live in a cocoon and be as blissfully unaware of the larger world around them as possible.

[Flashmann]

38. If you are not Catholic why do you care anything about the Pope?

Not Catholic and as much as I try I just can't care any less about a Pope......

[onehandle]

39. Intolerance, in some cases. nt

[idwiyo]

40. Entertainment value.

[robinlynne]

41. I think people care because it is all over tv. If it were the leader of any other religous group,

and received massive tv coverage, people would be equally aware of it.

[lillypaddle]

43. I'm a recovered Catholic

and I could give a rat's ass about the pope. I am totally stymied about all the conversation about this. Who gives a shit? For real? Bunch of fuckin' child molesters as far as I'm concerned, and at the least, a bunch of old men who don't give a damn about women or their rights. Disgusting.

[FreeState]

44. Because the Catholic Church works against my families civil rights n/t

[Zoeisright]

46. I care because he and his policies hurt millions of people.

Demonizing birth control, hating gay people, judging and demeaning others are just a few of the disgusting policy edicts that come from those asshole old men.

[marions ghost]

72. I'm fascinated by God Complexes

Imagine being selected to rule the spiritual life of millions.

Incredible power. Often abused. Like you say.

[randome]

47. Something to mock and feel superior to.

[rrneck]

48. Because the RCC is a very powerful organization

that can have an impact on my live whether I am a believer or not.

[southernyankeebelle]

49. It's not so much about the Pope as it is about the tradition of the way they pick the pope.

I guess that is what it is. Recently I watched again the movie with Anthony Quinn and how they picked the pope. It was so interesting. I think that is what it is about. Just like the royal family.

[LiberalFighter]

51. Media spending too much air time about it right now.

They don't do the same for other religions.

[nadinbrzezinski]

52. The pope is a head of state.

And some popes have advanced interfaith relations, which is good for peace.

[RebelOne]

53. I could care less and I am sick of seeing it all over the TV news. n/t

[RudynJack]

54. He's an important person...

and I find the ceremonies and rituals very interesting.

[Skittles]

55. because he influences a lot of thinking and a lot of laws

Last edited Wed Mar 13, 2013, 03:34 AM - Edit history (1)

mosty DETRIMENTAL

[CTyankee]

56. The only thing I like about this whole thing are the beautiful photos from Rome!

Seeing the interior of the Sistine was great as well as the architecture of the Vatican.

This is great theatre and meant to be so. We are supposed to be impressed by the grandeur of the church...look, we got costumes, we got the sets, we got the music and we got the pomp.
All of this leads for the masses to follow to the church out of their emotional reaction to the great and beautiful artifice of the enterprise....

[Control-Z]

57. I don't. (nt)

[bowens43]

59. I like his funny hats and dresses.........

if you're catholic why do you care about the pope?

There is no sillier or more hypocritical religious figure in the world then the pope. I mean seriously, whats with the bizarre costumes? If the pope cared he would sell of the Vatican's treasures and land and use the proceeds to feed , house and cloth the poor.,

[longship]

60. Because a significant plurality of the world think it's important.

[mike_c]

62. I'm not and I don't....

Not even a little.

[slackmaster]

63. Entertainment value

[ZombieHorde]

64. He has a lot of influence in many parts of the world. nt

[PDJane]

65. I am interested for the same reason that I'm interested in all kinds of things......

The Catholic church is in the middle of a serious upheaval, they have been abusive and dictatorial for a long time, and it's time to change the terms of the debate.

[underpants]

66. I think it is interesting. Hoping for the guy from Ghana (heads explode) but probably the Canadian

the smart move is the Brazilian or the Argentinian.

[Texasgal]

68. I'm not Catholic

but I've kind of found the whole conclave thingy interesting.

[fadedrose]

69. As a recovered Catholic, I pay some attention to it..

because it really makes me happy and feel relieved to not be a part of it.

[arthritisR_US]

70. The poporama business has always fascinated me

[ChiciB1]

71. I Was Raised A Catholic...

but after I got married (in the church) I found out I really didn't WANT to be a Catholic! Many years ago.

Got a text from someone today all ramped up & excited, telling me to tune in to TV, we might have a new pope. I started several times to text something back, but couldn't find the right way to tell her I REALLY could care less!

[Cleita]

73. I don't as long as he has no influence on my life.

The day he starts meddling in the governing of this country or the world for that matter, then I will care.

[Trailrider1951]

75. I'm not a Catholic, either by choice or upbringing

But I keep up with the current events so that I can converse intelligently with my friends and family who still belong to the Church, or are "recovering Catholics". To each, his own.

[Trajan]

76. The Pope is a person with global influence ...

A public figure ... people are interested in public figures, especially powerful public figures ...

Signed,
Ex Catholic Atheist ...

[Gore1FL]

77. Same reason I care about any head of state. n/t

[Cleita]

78. Yeah, but this one has no power except among his followers.

I mean he doesn't have an army (Swiss Guard doesn't count) or nukes or a navy. He's really no threat to anybody.

[Gore1FL]

92. Fair point

At some level, he has piece of many armies navies and nukes around the world because his followers happen to have power in those places.

The real power and real threat do not reside in military might. It's the political and cultural reigns that the Pope wields through the many hands of his followers that disturbs and frightens me.

[Cleita]

96. He does not have that kind of power over the majority of his followers.

Most lay Catholics, those who could be industrialists or politicians, don't follow every letter of Catholic canon nor listen to the Bishops and Cardinals that much. This is not the middle ages. The lockstep following of doctrine within the Church is with the clergy and those who have taken religious orders or the cloth, and they do not have armies, navies or nukes. They are often lucky enough to have a donated SUV or bus to get around in. I went to Catholic school through college and lived in the dorms through high school and college. We lived very close to the cloistered nuns and brothers. I never saw a gun or anything that was a weapon, and little that could be used as a weapon. No Catholic order has had a military intent since the Crusades and the demise of the Knight Templars. I find your paranoia misplaced. I am more worried about the evangelical protestants who are really getting aggressive and bold lately. I find they are meddling too much into our government and trying to blur the separation of Church and State with all the abortion laws and other things they are getting away with.

[Gore1FL]

132. He has enough that Abortion and Contraception is still being argued at a national level. n/t

[Cleita]

134. That's not coming solely from the Catholic church. As a matter of fact, it

only started becoming an issue when the Evangelicals started to preach about it and they got to proselytize their radio and TV audiences. Soon Limbaugh and Beck were honking about it. The Catholic church never had the media power the Evangelicals have to this day. Back when I was in my twenties birth control was widely practiced by Catholics and the priests and bishops looked the other way.

[Gore1FL]

135. It's why a number of my Catholic friends vote Republican. n/t

[Cleita]

138. Well that's stupid of them.

Back in the fifties and sixties, it was hard to find a Catholic Republican. Most were Democrats because most were union members and working class, so they voted for Democrats. I haven't been to Church since then so I don't know what stupidity is ruling them these days, maybe the same stupidity that formed the Tea Party.

[tavernier]

79. I am and I don't.

I'm an eclectic Catholic... I choose one from column A, one from column B, mix and match, much depending on what doesn't rankle me. I think a lot of things in organized religion are truly embarrassing to God. I mainly subscribe to the "Do unto others" philosophy.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

80. I ask the same sort of thing everytime the British Royal Family is in the news.

[forestpath]

81. Maybe because the Obama administration accedes to the Catholic church? And maybe because

the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships exists within the U.S. Government??

[ellenfl]

82. i don't and i wish the constant coverage would stop. i doubt the whole world cares. eom

[onenote]

89. Well, a very substantial portion of the world cares.

There are over a billion Catholics. Plus a lot of non-Catholics care for a variety of reasons, not the least of which that many people recognize that paying attention to and learning about the larger world around them is generally considered a admirable trait as contrasted with living within a cocoon.

Just a guess here, but I bet the media sometimes covers things that you care about that the "whole world" doesn't care about.

[ellenfl]

118. over a billion catholics? what percentage is that of world population?

i still doubt the whole world cares what color smoke comes from the vatican chimney. show me on the day it's white smoke. otherwise there is no story, since it's all in secret.

[onenote]

136. one out of every seven.

Its a big story. You may not think so, but you're not particularly representative of the population as a whole.

I might also add that well over half of the Latino population of the United States is Catholic and, as you presumably are aware, the Latino vote was a critical factor in President Obama's reelection and presents Democrats with an enormous opportunity going forward. If we don't blow it. Which we will do if we make Latinos feel unwelcome by denigrating the religion of choice of more than half of them.

[ellenfl]

142. so 6 out of 7 don't particularly care. eom

[onenote]

143. Ignorance is bliss

Could be your motto.

[ellenfl]

145. it's ignorance because i don't want to watch 24/7 popery? he's not my

pope and i can skip the hoopla, as i'm sure many others can as well . . . especially considering how little hoopla their penchant for pedophilia gets. sorry, not a big fan of pedophiles and the priests who protect them.

tell me who wins but spare me the puffery. thankfully, the cardinals ended it fairly quickly.

let me know when a new pope means change for the better . . . not like the last one. the church(es) need to come into the 21st century.

[jwirr]

83. Fortunately I do not care about any aspect regarding the pope other than how it effects the abuse

victims.

[LuvNewcastle]

84. I was raised in an Evangelical church and I

think there's still a part of me that's looking to see if they elected the Antichrist this time.

[quakerboy]

85. Why did the rest of the world care

whether Obama or McCain won?

Why do any of us give a rats patute whether McConnell or Judd will win, unless we live in that state?

Why did I care whether Alan Grayson won his recent Election?

Why do any of us care that people are starving and dying in wars in Africa?

Its an interconnected world. Ive got catholic family, and I recognize that while most of them probably wont change a bit no matter who the pope is, this person and his potential policies will shape the world we all live in. This person will be ostensibly running one of the larger organizations in the world, with some reach into very many countries around the world.

[Jack Sprat]

87. I don't.

I'm glad you don't either. I can't speak for anybody else though. I don't know anyone outside of Catholicism who ever has.

[eShirl]

90. cuz the RC church is the last surviving institution of the Roman Empire (western, anyway)

as far as I can tell.

[JDPriestly]

91. Gossip value. Hoping we might get some changes for the better in the Catholic Church.

[MADem]

93. The guy who is chosen will influence, for good or ill, our fellow citizens--some of whom serve on

the Supreme Court.

What effect might a pope who says "Hey, I fucked up--I really think Jesus wants me to open the doors to women priests and allow gays to marry in our church" have on, say, a Justice Scalia...or a Justice Thomas...or a Justice Alito?

I mean, hey, this is da POPE talking, here!!!

[Spider Jerusalem]

94. Because the Roman Catholic Church has a billion adherents and disproportionate political influence.

It's a bit like asking "if you're not American, why do you care who the next US president is?"

[stevenleser]

95. Potentially has a massive effect on politics here in the US. And before many of you say...

"No one in the US listens to the pope anymore, even Catholics", try imagining the effect if the pope would say "Gay marriage is now approved in the Catholic Church" or "We approve of the use of birth control among our laity" or something like "I prefer political parties and leaders who are compassionate and take care of the poor, sick and old".

Many Catholics are swing voters. If those issues above were taken away from the Republican Party, it would be a big deal.

[Iggo]

97. I'm an ex-catholic.

As a small child, I was treated poorly by the representatives of the catholic church. I'll be pissed off at the pope and catholicism for the rest of my days and if people don't like it, tough shit.

[Dawson Leery]

98. The RCC has injected itself into the politics of sovereign nations.

It is important to know the what kind of thug we will have to deal with in the future.

[TexasBushwhacker]

99. The poverty in predominatly Catholic countries and cultures concerns me a great deal

It's hard enough to pull yourself out of poverty. It's even harder with 6 kids. I have a huge problem with the Pope's stance on birth control.

[Nye Bevan]

102. The pomp. The ceremony. The history. The tradition. Unlike anything here in the US.

All the same reasons as the fascination with the UK Royal Family.

[Rowdyboy]

104. I'm not Chinese but I care who the premier of China is. I'm not Russian but I care who the

president of Russia is. I'm not British or French or German or Brazilian or Nigerian but I care who there leaders are because I live on this planet and their choices affect me-as does the choice of the Roman Catholic church's conclave of Cardinals. Do you honestly not get that? Geez....

[Raine]

105. I love history so I follow this kind of thing because it goes back

hundreds and hundreds of years. I find it interesting even though I'm not Catholic.

[RedCappedBandit]

106. I don't

Gonna be some bigoted old white dude, the antithesis of what this 'Christ' figure purportedly stood for.

[LeftyMom]

107. Because 2/3 of the Supreme Court Justices are members of his hate group

[HiPointDem]

112. and the other 1/3 is jewish. a completely unrepresentative court, demographically speaking.

at least in terms of religious affiliation or background.

(Catholics being about 25% of the US population and Jews being a little over 2%).

[ladjf]

108. who cares? Just another "Don". nt

[MFM008]

109. im not

and i dont

[HiPointDem]

110. Some people hate the catholic church. I mean, in a way that indicates it's the catholic church

in particular, not just religious bodies generally.

There's a noticeable faction here.

[sendero]

114. The only thing I care about the pope..

... is the ridiculous 20+ minute news stories run on the selection process and the freaking gawking at the smoke color.

The world will not be one iota different if they pick Helen Keller, Mickey Mouse or Nelson Mandela. The whole spectacle is a reminder of how our "news" outlets focus on the trivial, insipid and pointless while important issues are ignored. Blech.

[CBGLuthier]

117. My in laws are catholic so I like to keep up on

whatever excuse for their bigotry the new pope may give them.

Personally I hope we get a black Pope so I can watch their bigoted little heads explode.

[just1voice]

119. "Pope-aganda" is just the latest MSMedia distraction

like the British royal family, celebrity gossip and whatever the venal tools are calling austerity today.

[Scout]

120. i don't

and i'm tired of "breaking news!!!!!!!! no new pope yet!!!!!!!"

breaking news is when there is a new pope...

[0zone]

124. As a former child indoctrinated Catholic...

...I watch and am grateful that I had the sense to put all that Catholic nonsense aside. Free at last from their BS and control over MY life.

[malthaussen]

125. Because I have friends who are Catholic.

Their lives, and certainly their faith, may be measurably impacted by who leads the Church.

-- Mal

[ThomThom]

129. I am interested in seeing who the last pope will be

the next president maybe the last also

[Drale]

130. Well unfortunately the Pope has influence on World Policy

for instance, if the new Pope said that contraception was not against God it would stop many of these stupid lawsuits against the government and it would also help to reduce teen birthrates. There are many Catholics, especially ones with power who follow the Pope's "rules".

[One_Life_To_Give]

131. Follow most world leaders

Just as the Harper and Merkel governments have an impact on the world, so does the Pope.

[Blue_Tires]

133. I just wanna be the Vice-pope...

[Dpm12]

137. I'm an atheist

and I am interested in the papacy. It's just neat in my opinion

[Ikonoklast]

141. As a fomer Catholic, I realize that the leader of the RCC still has major influence over political

affairs in this country that can be detrimental to democracy.

Whether or not one cares about the who the pope is or what he does is immaterial; that doesn't stop Rome from trying to promote its agendas.

[MNBrewer]

144. If the Roman Catholic Church wasn't sticking its nose into government, I wouldn't.

But it doesn't seem content to have influence over only its own adherents. It wants a return to the time when it ruled everything and everyone.

[Zorra]

147. I'm female, liberal, and LGBT. I assume you can figure it out on your own from there. nt