Problem is, NH, that you accept the pope is off the mark re his political views. In the previous couple of pages we have demonstrated that his religious views are also contradictory to scripture.
And there I find your interpretation of scripture in error.
For a Catholic worshiping a pope or anyone/thing except God, would be heresy. They would no longer be Catholic. Don't know why that's so hard to get across.
So we believe that the Holy Spirit metaphorically whispers in the ear of the pope on certain doctrinal matters. Protestants, at least some of them, believes He whispers in the ear of everyone that picks up a Bible. Others believe He whispers in the ear of their favorite pastor, but not others.
Then there's the Bible, His word. How do you know the people who put it on parchment got it right? Maybe the Holy Spirit whispered in their ears?
With all this whisperin going on why is it so hard to conceive of the pope being included? Just because you don't like his politics?
