i think it is because he is the closest thing they can get to god as he is the head of the catholic church and is the kind of leader of the religion not sure though cos i am not religious :0)

He is just another person selected by a group of people to be pope. God is God and human beings should not be considered as god.

Pope is a false, in the bible it says the only way to god is through jesus NOT POPE but JESUS,

I would say they've been taught wrongly. Noone is faultless. Not me, not you and not the Pope. Just because a person is at the top doesn't mean he is better than anyone else.

First, not all people, just Catholics ;) Well, he's not really treated like God. Bear in mind that the Pope is the leader of a billion Catholics worldwide. If you're not a Catholic, you can see him as the leader of an independent state (the Vatican). Either way, he holds a very high position that deserves some form of respect.

To Catholics he receives his instructions directly from God (in the broad sense). Therefore, his word is infaliable.

For Catholics, He is the messenger of Gods word;) he is human like all the rest of us;) Whats the Popes Poop..........(HOLY SHIT).LOL;)>

They're Catholic

I think Catholics believe that the Pope has something that the rest of us don't have. We can read the Bible just like the Pope does, if he does. We can pray directly to God and have our prayers answered.

I think it's mainly Catholics that may think that way. Personally, I hold my minister in high standards (but not near as high as I would do God).

Those who exalt the Pope to a position of extreme adulation (I doubt anyone would say "God" or "Like God" but extreme adulation) do so from a point of tradition. In the early centuries of Christianity, there was no real centre, especially after Jerusalem fell to the Romans in AD 70. However, after a while several centres developed: Byzantium/Constantinople, Rome, Antioch amongst them. Although there were other centres as well (including Damascus, Nicaea, Lyon, Alexandria, Edessa), these eventually came to recognise five centres, all of which claimed founding by an apostle, as pre-eminent. They were Jerusalem , Antioch, Rome, Alexandria, and Byzantium. As Jerusalem, Alexandria and Antioch fell to Islamic armies towards the Middle Ages, this left Byzantium and Rome as the two major centres, Rome looking after the remains of the western Roman empire and Byzantium looking after the remains of the Eastern Empire. They were equals in authority, neither had supremacy over the other UNTIL the Bishop of Rome claimed certain rights of the pagan Pontifex Maximus of the Romans, and began to speak as if he were superior to the Patriarch of Constantinople. This led to bad blood, and an eventual mutual excommunication in 1054.By this time, both centres had adopted practices from ancient religions and imported them into Christianity, to the point that it resembled , very little, in form, and in practice (in many areas) New Testament Christianity. The schism of 1054, led to the Pope claiming primacy over the entire Christian church and to his instituting more and more non-Biblical practices. The personage of the Pope rose and rose until it achieved the status it has now. The truth is: he calls himself the Vicar or Stand-in of Christ, but Christ needs no one to hold this position. Christ is the only Mediator between God and man.

He's second in command yo... Hey hey Sweet T!

This week he is "American Idol".

We (Catholics) don't treat him like God, but he IS the head of our Church and we DO revere him as such. I know many people do not understand it, but I truly wish they would at least be tolerant and respectful of my religion.

Because people need a symbol to worship. The concept of 'god' is too vast to comprehend so we need a person-figure to represent god.

That was one of the things I was thinking of. Also he said developed countries must offer to help eliminate poverty. True.

Because people think of him as being the next best thing to Jesus. Basically what I mean is that he is the only one man in the world that could say he heard the word of god as jesus did without being thrown into a loony bin.

because they think he's as close to God as man can get?

It sounds like a joke, but catholics call the pope "the representative of god on Earth." Mormons have their own full-time-god-connected-prophet, catholics have god's agent himself. It seems like the competition goes on. Soon we will have another sect claiming to have an exclusivity contract with god. Did you say Jews? Children have more creative games.

I wouldn't think so. He's only an important figure head that lots of people have a very high esteem for ***I tells ya, it was this big***

I agree with others that the Pope's high esteem is primarily from a Catholic perspective. The Pope is considered to be a successor to St. Peter upon whom Jesus said he would build his church. The Pope is considered infallible when speaking on faith and morals.

You're right. A large number of people do treat the Pope like he is God. Is that right? Well, no. It's probably because they think that he is more close to God than they are. Really, though, if the Pope really followed the whole Bible, he would be married and have children. If you don't believe me, look up I Timothy 3:5 (KJV), which clearly says, "(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)". I guess Catholics don't really think I Timothy 3 and 4 are important or something.

So, just to set the record straight on a few issues here: 1. We don't believe the Pope is like God. Sometimes we get excited at seeing him or respect him a lot. People also get excided about lots of other people, nobody tells them they hold that person as being divine. 2 the Pope is not considered necessarily "closer" to God than others. Saints come to mind as an obvious example of people we consider closer to God, not because they are chosen apart from us, we all have vocations and are chosen, but because their faith and works are closer to God and they listen to Him more. 3. The Pope is not considered better than other people by virtue of being Pope. People might believe that a person better than average should be Pope, or think that an exceptional person became Pope (think JPII) but he is not better by being the Pope. He is the successor of Peter and we all know Peter was not perfect. This is the position he holds and he is respected for that. And bear in mind some Popes were loved, some were not. We don't all just fall into awe at seeing our Pope. We might get excited though:) at times (both positively or negatively) 4. We do not believe everything the Pope says is infailable. Statements made in infailable way are much rarer than people think and they usually involve matters of faith that concern only Catholics (and maybe other Christians in the sense that they may agree or disagree). I doubt a Budhist or atheist would go sleepless nights on wether our Blessed Mary (the last major dogma dating more than 100 years ago) was born or not without original sin (to give but one example). Infailibility is rarely invoked and usually it could approve of an already widely held belief or settle a major theological issue. We do believe in these extraordinary circumstances the Holy Spirit takes pity on us if you wish and guides the Pope to a decision. Again, don't know why this would be major news outside Christianity. I guess people think we have dogmas flying in day in and day out so we could be spared from thinking for ourselves. While a fashionable belief, it is simply not true. I'm sorry if this spoils the "herd" stereotype some believe in.

1) Popalatry (or papalatry) is a cult of personality on the person of the pope. See here some information about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_cult 2) "It is due to a false idea which in future ages might be declared by the Church to be a heresy, yet for now we will content ourselves with calling it a false opinion. It has been called in recent years "Papalatry". In one sense we could take it as a worship of the Pope, but it would not be an accurate description of the phenomenon to mean that literally. The droves of adoring faithful who keep shouting Santo Subito do not worship John Paul II or the current Pope as a god in reality, and I would say many truly want to be Catholic. When we use the term Papalatry therefore, it is to be taken as treating the Pope as infallible in his actions and judgments, rather than in statements of faith and morals." "Couldn't it be that the Pope made a serious mistake in judgment? Why is that so impossible? Progressives all the time insist that priestly celibacy is merely a custom and can be done away with, and it is a mistake to continue it, and conservatives don't contest that it is not matter for the sacrament. Why doesn't it work the other way? Of course there is no good answer to that. It does work the other way because the Pope, any Pope can err in judgment. The danger of Papalatry is that it places upon a pope, in the modern instance Pope John Paul II, a burden that he could never carry even if he did everything right. It is a burden no Pope could ever carry, not even great Popes such as Pope St. Leo the Great, or Pope St. Pius X! (Real "great" popes, unlike our modern pretender) It is the burden of being an inerrant and impeccable half-godlike being, which no man is and no man can pretend to be. Thus we arrive at a situation where people reject their better sense or accept and even defend things they would never do for the sake of supporting whatever the Pope does, and being "with the Pope"." Source and further information: http://athanasiuscm.blogspot.com/2007/03/papalatry.html Further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infallibility http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_infallibility

we dont see the pope as God. no where near. he is human and a sinner alike all humans. but he is speical because he is a Man who God has chosen to hold the position he holds, as pope.

because that is how people tend to portray him. The pope is merely a human being, same as you or me. I'd treat the pope the same as anyone else. Id address him by his first name. Which what is his first name anyway?

I have a Catholic friend who is about to become a nun, and I asked her this. She told me that God vicariously works through the Pope, as well as through Priests and other Catholic church leaders. I don't agree though. I know the verse about Jesus saying he was giving the keys to heaven to Peter. The truth is, Peter was jealous of Mary Magdalene, and Jesus favored her before any of the other disciples (and no, I'm not just borrowing this from the Da Vinci Code). Jesus didn't mean that Peter was supposed to be the head of the church. JESUS IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH! DUH! Jesus meant that Peter was supposed to build the church up, just in the way that missionaries continue to build the church today (that is, evangelize so as to add individuals to the body of Christ...I don't mean built a church building). But of course, Catholics used this one verse as an excuse for power, and then made that the law for many years. Does anyone really believe the power of Christ can be continued on in a mere human? Christ was present on earth as a human, but he was a spiritual, divine being before anything.

The term "pope" was a title claimed by Boniface III in 607 A.D. The word comes from a Latin word "papa" which means father." Other terms are used such as "pontiff" which means: bridge builder, the link between this life and the next. Then there is title "vicar of Christ" -- a person authorized to perform the functions of another; substitute in office. Here is what is taught, according to the Texas Catholic Conference, Department of Religious Education, 1988: "The Pope is the Vicar of Christ, successor of St. Peter and visible head of the church. He takes the place of Christ." The pope cannot be the "vicar of Christ," i.e. His substitute as Head of the church because the Bible plainly declares Jesus Christ to be the Head of the church and no one else: Eph.1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Col.1:18. Even Peter, whom the Catholics claim was the first pope, was not confused as to who was the Head when he wrote: "Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner." (1 Peter 2:7) The term "pontiff" is also unscriptural because "there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5). By the way, Peter could not have been the first Pope because he was married (Matt.8:14), he refused to be worshipped (Acts 10:25-26), and he was rebuked by the apostle Paul (Gal.2:11). Neither was the N.T. church built upon Peter. It was established and founded by Jesus Christ, according to Matthew 16:18, who is the Rock (petra). Peter was the "petros": a little stone, pebble. Peter was but one among many building stones made alive through Christ from which He built His church.

because Catholics are crazy and this is why the Eastern Orthodox Church split.

You obviously have not seen people adore God and then just show great respect the Pope. John 21:15-17 states: When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." He then said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." (Jesus) said to him, "Feed my sheep. Matthew 16:17-19 states: Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." The Catholic Church believes the Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock. The Pope is the senior pastor of 1.1 billion Catholic Christians, the direct successor of Simon Peter. The Pope’s main roles include teaching, sanctifying, and governing. For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 880-882: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p4.htm#880 With love in Christ.

cuz he's the Pope, and you ain't ... jealous?

first question: how do you treat God?

first question: how do people treat God?

It is pretty logical actually. Catholicism is largely about works salvation, and the Pope has worked harder for the church than anyone else, though the only works that really matter are His, for only His bring salvation. Cults verge on extra biblical salvation methods, for they must ignore John 14:6 OFTEN.

they just have huge reverence for him. there's no religion that worships the pope. nor is there one that worships mary

CATHOLIC PEOPLE DO TREAT THAT POPE LIKE GOD.. I KNOW BECAUSE MY FAMILYS CATHOLIC AND I AM NOT.. IDK WHY THOUGH... THEY ALSO TREAT MOTHER MARY LIKE A SORT OF GOD TOO..

The head of the church should direct it as an instituion not as a mass of beliefs subjecto to change when the number of adepts is going down. That's why i think the pope, the "ambassador of heaven in earth" is an overrated figure. Not just now, remember the medieval popes and their political games and undeniable sins... Wojtyla made a good job towards a more downtoearth church, but the current one is shitting all over. Anyway, i dont believe in god.

Because Godson go to the church of Thyritia, which is related to the Pope. Do some research its a church before Christ.

I think it because, they need to have a physical person to look up to, since God and Jesus are spirits.

He is just another person to me with the same strengts and weaknesses. Other people see him as a god. In my opinion, the papacy is a long-term brainwash that blinded their minds. My 2 cents.

Tradition?

Because Catholics are deceived and didn't do their research... Sheeple just follow along with what everybody else is doing. It's easier to let someone else tell you what truth is, rather than for you to get off your butt do your own research and find God, not Religion. God is not religion. Religion is man-made and was created to manipulate and control the weak-minded. (Think Jedi's here) Catholicism is Idolatry. It is certainly not Christian. They also worship Mary and pray to her. Catholicism is simply Paganism. RESEARCH!!! PS, the Pope is the false prophet who will give power to the Beast (satan) in Revelation. The harlot church sits on seven hills - Rome. Come on people, wake up. This is elementary prophesy. You probably actually believe Bush is a christian too. LOL http://www.cuttingedge.org/articles/rome.html http://godsonlygospel.com/Pagan%20Connection2.htm http://www.west.net/~antipas/books/xmas/xmas.html Peace & Love God IS Love!

Because it shows how much sence they have. It's like one can crown a bull Frog, and set it before them, and they would bow them selfs down to it.

one of satans tricks that we worship a man or something over him

The catholic church has literally given the pope the powers of God. The pope is meant to be "the vicar of Christ" i.e. Christ's representative on earth to rule the world in his place until the second coming. They have constantly tried to twist Christianity to empower themselves. Protestants believe that you can be saved by faith alone. However catholics believe that you can only be saved by going to church and participating in the mass etc. They say that whatever the pope makes so on earth, God will make so in heaven. So you are only forgiven if the church forgives you. They say no one can be saved by their personal relationship with God, only through the church. So consequently devout catholics look to the pope and the church for everything instead of God / Christ.

He is supposed to be God's representative.

it's a Catholic thing.

Because of his AWESOME hat!

becuase there are many powers of a pope, he holds the big long hat with a staff and the loong robes. It is the highest of all except God.

The Pope is God`s representative here on Earth. He is not God but the closest thing to it.

Because he's rich, wares funny dresses... and is the closest thing to a god in this universe.

They do it out of ignorance.

I think the fact that they can see him. Its much easier to worship something you can see. I don't Understand it myself, but I hope those people Worship God first and foremost.

Because he represents God on Earth.

Because they've been lied to for 1700 years.

may be he has a senior post to all da priests in cathlic for that reason...............but people r fool to treat him as God.but exactly they are forgeting God.

religion is the worst topic someone can get into because its the number one argument in the world next to politics

Well at least people can see the pope and confirm he exists. That's a start.

I don't think people do as much as you think they do. And if they do, they shouldn't. that would be "having other gods before me", which is against Christian teachings.

As the nuns taught me - the pope takes the place of Jesus on earth. As an adult, I find this hard to believe, though I do revere the pope. Peter was the first pope, and the pope is part of the apolostic succession. Jesus WAS, remember and 100% human as well as 100% God. He was born without original sin, and thus he was perfect in the way that God had planned for all of us to be perfect. Our pope is perfect because although he was born in original sin, he was baptized, confessed his human frailties and made perfect. It is his office that makes his decisions infalible. There. I am a Lutheran. Lol.

I don't know/understand anything about catholics. My boyfriend of 8 months is catholic and Im afraid he will be offended if I ask him to explain the difference in our religons. Do catholics really believe that the pope is just as important or just as high of power as God?

They think he Jesus in the flesh.

i don't know who taught you that but you are mistaken. Catholics respect the pope as a priest, bishop, and leader of the church. This is not worship but rather the respect due a leader by virtue of his position.

The pope is thought to be a modern Apostle, but that is but a claim to fame that has no truth to it. In earlier church history, as recorded in the Pauline epistles, people had a tendency of following men over God, given that Christ was no longer a man living amongst them. I think of Apollo, though he and Paul pale in comparison to Jesus.

reverence for his position as the leader of their faith

Because they may not know any better. I was raised catholic and went to catholic school in the Midwest United States during the 1970's. We never owned or even looked at a Bible. I was taught to worship St Jude , St Mary and the Pope (He is God to some and like God to others). We had many statues throughout the house. Jesus was rarely mentioned in my home or at school. The priests and the Pope were much more important. I saw very little Christ like behavior in the priests and nuns at my school. I was taught only Catholics went to heaven. My brother and his wife taught their children this same philosophy. Their grandchildren are taught this same philosophy. What I was taught was clearly worship....but not to God alone.

it comes from emperor worship after constantine after all thats where catholocism got its start and also pledging allegiance its not called roman catholicism for nowt personaly i would rather spit on it and die before bowing to anything concerning it

Cause the devil wants to deceive people into thinking the pope so much more than what he really is and it takes the focus off Jesus.(what the devil wants) To me there is no respect different from anyone else and I honestly wouldn't care if he came to my house. I would treat him as anyone else. If he's hungry then lets eat. If he's thirsty then have some water!

Because he thinks he is God,and we do need to humor the old boy.

The Pope is a man no more, no less. He will be judged just like the rest of us.

Because that is what they have always claimed> "God's Representative on Earth" LOL, On a catholic newspaper I recently read an article in which some faithful catholic lady addressed the current Pope as "Co-redeemer" LOL again.

Because he is His representative on earth as designated by St Peter.

HOLY FATHER is a title that belongs to the ALMIGHTY himself and they even have to rip him off with that!

The Pope is a man just like the rest of us. The Catholics believe he has powers that were handed down to him from Peter. They believe Peter was the first Pope as the Lord Stated you are a orck and open this rock I will build my church!

It's usually only the Catholics that treat him like God. I personally view him as only a man with too much power to wield, which if in the wrong hands, could be potentially dangerous.

Can't tell you for sure, I'm not catholic. Probobly because he is the head of the church.

The Pope has various titles one of them -The term “Pontius Maximus,” which meant “the High Priest” in the Pagan Roman temples, is still used today to refer to the Pope, although it often is abbreviated to “Pont. Max.” or “P.M.” What the title means… pontifex -ficis m. [a pontiff , member of a Roman guild of priests]. maximus superl. of magnus; q.v. magnus -a -um compar. maior , maius; superl. maximus (maxumus) -a -um; [great, large]; of sound, [loud]; of price or value, [high]; magno, and magni, [at a high price, dear, highly]. Transf., of time, [long, old]; of standing, [great, mighty, powerful, important]; m. pl. of compar. as subst., maiores, [ancestors]; 'in maius', [to a higher degree]; magno opere, see magnopere; for maxime, see magis. The Emperor, ’the living image of Christ’, stood at the head of the church. The notion that his office was sacred, a mixture of priest and king, was not originally a Christian idea. Pagan Roman emperors carried the title of chief priest, and carried out special religious duties as part of their office. In 312 Ad Emperor Constantine was seen as God’s chosen deputy. The imperial power was an earthly reflection of God’s heavenly sovereignty. The Emperor, as head of the church, presided over certain local synods at Constantinople, and over all general councils. He had the right to approve all candidates for the post of patriarch. Peter was never seen as the Head of the Church but as one of a number of apostles (sent ones). His name Peter was to mean "little rock or Pebble" The truth was build on Christ the Rock, not Peter the pebble. The Foundation of the Church has always been the revelation as Christ as God. Our Great God who now sits at God the father's right hand as our High Priest _ see Hebrews Chap 10:19 - 23, not a man here on earth. Alot more could be said.....

The pope is not treated like God. Catolicism is very old, we belive Jesus wanted Peter to contue his mission, and spread the word. When Peter died he left someone else to contue the mission and so on and so foruth there for we have a Pope. To speads God's message and keep the Catholics togather so their is no aruing among us and we won't be separated. The pope was ment to keep Christany togather but that obvisly failed.

We must read the bible first. Respect and love him as one of human beings, but not to treat him as God. To God be the glory. Amen.

Medieval people needed a show. The organization carries on. Despite that, the pontiff's position is somewhat self defined. Pope John Paul was friendlier, seemed like more tolerant. Benedict, less so. I'm a protestant, but I respect the pope.

1) They dont. Have you ever heard a prayer to the pope ? 2) By catholic dogma he IS speaking with divine authority when he speak officially. That brings him closer to 'being God' than anybody else.

out of Ignorance...of the WORD....

ever wonder why Jesus HIMSELF didn't name a pope? instead of 12 Apostles..? theearly churches did have deacons and elders in their individual assemblies(not a worldwide control) to help tend the flock..but that was as far as it went... anyway, i know that no man can forgive sins us our sins , that is strictly between the sinner and God....no man can say it is okay to divorce and recognize marriage to another ,either....so, they do put the these mortal men(sinners) on the same plane with God....as having authority and power no man does, only GOD .....

People believe that the Pope is God's earthly representative...and people love a spectacle...that's why he wears the flashy robes... But IS he obeying Jesus' commands? Does he preach the KINGDOM? I have never had MY door knocked on... (Acts 5:42) And every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus. (Acts 20:20) while I did not hold back from telling YOU any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching YOU publicly and from house to house.

Lacking in understanding as to the personality and role of the Pope. He is not God. He is at best human like you and me.

I do think some people just follow the crowd and dont know any better. If they would only give Jesus as much attention.

The Real Reason is, he is not a god, he is just the one in charge of the entire catholic Religion, the first one was Peter, one of Jesus Disciple and so when a Pope is chosen s like a new president is chosen and he is to be believed the one who has a closer encounter to god because, who ever is Pope is like being a Disciple of god like Peter was with Jesus

Because he is the Boss N 1 of the Catholic Church, and the Catholic Church is one of the most powerful and richest and oldest businesses in the world.

Because he's had more gay sex than you ever will.

Because the Pope is the sole representation of God on Earth. He was assigned that position by God and so, all catholics respond to the pope.

Because people see him as that because there is no actual god, and he has clothes different from everyone else. If you wear a hat similar to the popes, you will surely be jailed lol.

srsly, i feel the same way. people should look to God not some random pope man.

People are sheep and need a leader so they in a way see the Pope as a leader on earth. However instead of reading into their own faith they rely upon the words of a man. Instead of turning to the bible for inspiration and answers they ask a man....he is merely a man placed as a figure head for a church. Why people cry when they see him is beyond me

Becuase he is a great deciever of many nations...people...and races. The teachings of the catholic church are perverted with pagen beliefs... if you look in old times and look at the way a "pharoah" was represented (the hat, the thrown, the sceptor) you will realize it is not that much different than the pope. Pagenism also had purgatory (beads like the rosary)...and the "mother - isis" who is quite like Mary holding jesus...but Isis held horus. It is a very bad religion that is an abomination to God...Everything that they do is strictly against the word of God. But they have jaded the people...and brainwashed them to believe it is the ONE TRUE CHURCH...and that it is THE ONLY WAY. That the church was set up by JESUS CHRIST himself!!!...Which "a church was set up by christ"...but was very much perverted during the time of constantine. the popes have come off to be "peaceful men"...and "men who care about the people"...and "close to God"..."Gods vessel"...but in fact...God has no place for the pope and his ways in heaven...for it is becuase of them...HATRED UPON THE PEOPLE, MURDERS, WRONGFUL JUDGEMENT, TORTURE, PAIN, SUFFERING, HYPOCRISY, FILTHYNESS, RAPE, MOLESTATION, LIES, DECIET...and every other bad thing in the book has come about...has stemmed directly from the catholic church... The church has become BABYLON...taking the teachings of old from the "PAGEN ROMAN EMPIRE"...AND WHEN it fell, became the "HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE....only changing forms...coming off as Holy, so the people fall into it...like I said, IT...IS THE GREAT DECEPTION..."wolves in sheeps clothing"...be very careful. and understand "For he who hath wisdom, let him understand"...."come out of her my people"..."ye be not partaykers in her sins"

Because too many people don't think about what they're doing. As H. L. Mencken said, "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public."

Mostly, I think, because they were taught to. Their parents were Catholic so they follow suit, on and on down the line. The Pope is NOT on the same level as Jesus. He is a man , simple.

He isn't a God. The Pope is just an average guy like you and me. He needs Jesus Christ like us all. I don't worship the pope and neither do I call Him "The Holy Father". That name "The Holy Father" is a title reserved only for God. This current pope was a former Hitler youth for crying out loud. The pope is not God.

he roots for USC baby

Because Catholics believe that God speaks directly through him in matters of doctrine and morals. So, therefore, what the pope says IS what God says.

Simply because he is god's representative on earth.