I am not Catholic but this is a response I read.

As a Catholic I can say that the pope is, first and foremost, the head of a living and breathing body, a universal church with the moral authority of an apostolic succession handed down by Christ to Peter, the first pope. His role is spiritual, he is guided by the Holy Spirit and his role is to lead the church through the trials of time and the issues it presents; the pope's job is to interpret and apply scripture to the issues the world is faced with today. In this respect he may have effects upon the world, but he is not meant to be, nor is he, a political figure in the sense that non-Catholic Americans often presume him to be.

I am going out on limb here saying this but the POPE to me is just a regular man like everyone else. I don't see what the big deal is.To ME i feel like people are worshiping him and putting to much trust in a human man.So is he appointed by God or by man. I can understand that his role is spirtual and he is guided by the Holy Spirit but so can us ordinary people. What would God tell him that he wouldn't tell us those of us who seek God.Everything the POPE job to do we can do the same.Is there anything in the bible about having a POPE? How much Power does this POPE have? If people would just keep there eyes and ears and heart set on God and his word maybe the (people) in this world wouldn't be so messed up.Whats the first commandment? If i offended anybody i didn't mean too.

The pope IS a man, make no mistake. He is a leader and he is human. He also has an extreme responsibility on his shoulders to lead and guide the faithful. Not a small job in a day and age where many don't even believe in God, heaven or hell. Where even Catholics and Christians are divided on major issues, let alone the atheists, the agnostics and on and on ... He is more of a spiritual leader than a political one; but in this day and age, isn't everything politicized? I think he is a man with a tough job on his hands who more than ever, needs guidance of the Holy Spirit and our prayers.

If you study the Bible it says thatJesus said to Peter upon this rock I will build my church.The Church means a person or persons it is not a building.So infact what Jesus was saying was his peaple,not Peter,then peaple said he was the first Pope,To my knowledge not so,he was a strong leader who never put anyone before him except his Lord and savoir.All the Glory and Honour must be Gods not a mere man.