Who's the Church if not the ruling elite of pope and college of Cardinals?
Catechism 101. The Church is comprised of all Catholics living and dead in unity with Christ. The pope is also called "The Vicar of Christ" meaning basically he's the top guy in the chain of command of the Church on earth. The pope's word is considered infallible only when he declares it so which is rarely. Reserved for essential (absolute) theological truths after much, much debate and prayer.
