Can someone explain .... (pope related)

... why the Pope is such a big deal?

I'm Jewish, and I just don't get it. I don't mean to offend anyone .... I am really curious about this, and thought someone here might have answers for me

Also ... did they fly his Popemobile over, or build a new one here for him?

i know he is the head of the church, i get that ... that isn't what i mean.

i'm probably not doing a good job of explaining what i'm asking ....

i guess what i'm wondering is why is he being treated like the celebrity of all celebrities? he gets his own parade because he came to visit? people wrote letters and played lotteries just to get to see him / go to his mass (where they probably won't understand him because i don't think he speaks english)?

the pope speaks english, with an accent. He's a big deal because he is the head of the Catholic church. That alone is a good enough reason for those that have a strong faith or hold all holy people in high regard.

No other religion has a figure head that is as unifying or visable as the Pope. He unifies all Catholics all over the world. In our religion, we believe he is the most Christ like individual in our presence. That is what is he is to portray.

In the past (which these times are long gone) the highest & most powerful individual was the Pope. Shiit didn't go down unless the big man said so.

Regardless of what anyone thinks, Catholicism is still the greatest/largest religion in the world. It may not be the fastest growing, but its getting larger due to the great influx of southern/central america. Soooo therefore, the Pope is the 2nd most powerful person in the world *to most people*


I hope that explained it a little better.

<- Roman Catholic

the Pope Mobile, they probably assembled it here. All it is is bulletproof glass on a golf cart. Did you know he also has his own jet?? It's called 'Shepherd 1' hahahahahah so cute

We even have a Papal Blessing that someone requested for us from the Vatican. This was our wedding gift

don't mind my lil head at the bottom and the numerous glares. I attempted to take it while holding my laptop over my head.. hahaha

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Posted by soon2bmrsVPT

the pope speaks english, with an accent. He's a big deal because he is the head of the Catholic church. That alone is a good enough reason for those that have a strong faith or hold all holy people in high regard.

No other religion has a figure head that is as unifying or visable as the Pope. He unifies all Catholics all over the world. In our religion, we believe he is the most Christ like individual in our presence. That is what is he is to portray.

In the past (which these times are long gone) the highest & most powerful individual was the Pope. Shiit didn't go down unless the big man said so.

Regardless of what anyone thinks, Catholicism is still the greatest/largest religion in the world. It may not be the fastest growing, but its getting larger due to the great influx of southern/central america. Soooo therefore, the Pope is the 2nd most powerful person in the world *to most people*


I hope that explained it a little better.

<- Roman Catholic

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VERY well said!!

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Posted by soon2bmrsVPT

No other religion has a figure head that is as unifying or visable as the Pope.

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Your explanation definitely helped ...

I think the above statement is what mostly contributes to my questions.

Like, why is the figure head of Catholicism regarded so highly, but other religions don't have any one or anything that even closely resembles that .... KWIM?

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Posted by AmorPeruano

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Posted by soon2bmrsVPT

the pope speaks english, with an accent. He's a big deal because he is the head of the Catholic church. That alone is a good enough reason for those that have a strong faith or hold all holy people in high regard.

No other religion has a figure head that is as unifying or visable as the Pope. He unifies all Catholics all over the world. In our religion, we believe he is the most Christ like individual in our presence. That is what is he is to portray.

In the past (which these times are long gone) the highest & most powerful individual was the Pope. Shiit didn't go down unless the big man said so.

Regardless of what anyone thinks, Catholicism is still the greatest/largest religion in the world. It may not be the fastest growing, but its getting larger due to the great influx of southern/central america. Soooo therefore, the Pope is the 2nd most powerful person in the world *to most people*


I hope that explained it a little better.

<- Roman Catholic

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VERY well said!!

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thank you.. At one time I was a Theology major

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Posted by soon2bmrsVPT

the pope speaks english, with an accent.

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i did not realize that .... my mistake

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Posted by PreshusSmurf

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Posted by soon2bmrsVPT

No other religion has a figure head that is as unifying or visable as the Pope.

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Your explanation definitely helped ...

I think the above statement is what mostly contributes to my questions.

Like, why is the figure head of Catholicism regarded so highly, but other religions don't have any one or anything that even closely resembles that .... KWIM?

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The rise of Catholicism came to a crux when the romans decided that everyone should be catholic. So therefore, the roman empire then appointed someone to 'run' their national religion.

Other religions have had figure heads, but have been unable to sustain an appointed figure. Catholics have kept the Pope in power because they believe he is the closest thing you can get to Christ or to God in our world today.

Throughout the history of the world, catholicism has been the most powerful in terms of sheer numbers. It has always been hand in hand with powerful governments such as the romans, the cartheginians, the byzantines.

I totally KWUM, it is totally confusing. I just think the Pope is good because it is great to have someone so visable making good choices now a days. I'd rather see the Pope being a celebrity than Paris, Britney, or any other hollywood stars

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Posted by PreshusSmurf

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Posted by soon2bmrsVPT

the pope speaks english, with an accent.

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i did not realize that .... my mistake

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lol, I didn't realize how thick it was till I watched the mass this am. He also speaks something like 9 other languages, including spanish.. he gave a full mass in spanish the other day

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Posted by soon2bmrsVPT

I totally KWUM, it is totally confusing. I just think the Pope is good because it is great to have someone so visable making good choices now a days. I'd rather see the Pope being a celebrity than Paris, Britney, or any other hollywood stars

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When I used the word celebrity, I DEFINITELY wasn't thinking of *that* kind of celebrity (Paris, Britney, etc.)

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Posted by PreshusSmurf

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Posted by soon2bmrsVPT

I totally KWUM, it is totally confusing. I just think the Pope is good because it is great to have someone so visable making good choices now a days. I'd rather see the Pope being a celebrity than Paris, Britney, or any other hollywood stars

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When I used the word celebrity, I DEFINITELY wasn't thinking of *that* kind of celebrity (Paris, Britney, etc.)

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lol, why not? They totally deserve the spotlight, no?

Very well said Heather you are a smart cookie

I never really thought about your questions Jess-meaning I never thouhgt WHY is he such a 'celebrity' until you asked

I am not taking all the credit. DH had some input too

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Posted by PreshusSmurf

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Posted by soon2bmrsVPT

No other religion has a figure head that is as unifying or visable as the Pope.

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Your explanation definitely helped ...

I think the above statement is what mostly contributes to my questions.

Like, why is the figure head of Catholicism regarded so highly, but other religions don't have any one or anything that even closely resembles that .... KWIM?

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Jess, I grew up in the Catholic Church. I now attend a Christian church (non-denom).

To attempt to answer your question, I think it is because in Catholicism, the church emphasizes 'Apostolic succession' (you may want to read about this if you're curious), while other Christian denominations place less emphasis on the hierarchy of men as being a primary focus. Christ the Savior is emphasized.....my understanding from having experienced both sides.

Btw, I'm not arguing for one side as 'right' or better... this is just my viewpoint in trying to answer your question.

ETA: that and as heather stated he is the current leader of the largest religion in the world, making him a very important figure in many people's eyes.

all great responses!!! very informative

I think another reason is that the Pope is seen as a direct descendant of St Peter

Jesus himself asked Peter to lead his church and all of these years later Benedict is seen as a descendant of that and chosen by God

and, I am biased bc I AM Catholic. . . but being in the presence of a Pope ( for me it was the late Pope John Paul II ) is an overwhelming experience - his mere presence was life changing for me bc you FEEL the presence of God in these men ( IMO)

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Posted by ant n tilde

all great responses!!! very informative

I think another reason is that the Pope is seen as a direct descendant of St Peter

Jesus himself asked Peter to lead his church and all of these years later Benedict is seen as a descendant of that and chosen by God

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yep. this is what is meant by 'apostolic succession'