One thing I never understood about Catholicism is why Mary is treated like Jesus.
Maybe it seems that way, but it's factually incorrect.
To Catholics, there is adoration, hyperveneration, and veneration.
Adoration is reserved solely for God.
Mary is hypervenerated.
Saints are venerated.
Growing up with Catholics and Orthodox in my family, I lost track of how many protestant friends I explained this to.
It's always been bizarre to me that people think Catholics treat Mary like Jesus. It's incredibly different.
Also how Popes are chosen and why they would have a better connection to God than other humans
I'm not very knowledgeable about how Popes are chosen, so I'll let a devout Catholic answer that.
Just speaking for myself, I'd personally want to talk to a leader in a church if I had a spiritual problem because of their knowledge and experience; that's what I imagine is meant by being close to God.
Popes are chosen through a joint council of all the Cardinals in the Catholic Church. They elect the Pope, with the supposed help of the Holy Spirit (though I doubt Francis was chosen that way), to succeed as Bishop of Rome.
The Pope's one and only job is to defend the Catholic Faith, as established by Christ, not to create it or spearhead developments in doctrine but, just to defend what has already been established.
Maybe it seems that way, but it's factually incorrect. To Catholics, there is adoration, hyperveneration, and veneration.
Adoration is reserved solely for God. Mary is hypervenerated. Saints are venerated.
Growing up with Catholics and Orthodox in my family, I lost track of how many protestant friends I explained this to.
It's always been bizarre to me that people think Catholics treat Mary like Jesus. It's incredibly different.
I'm not very knowledgeable about how Popes are chosen, so I'll let a devout Catholic answer that.
Just speaking for myself, I'd personally want to talk to a leader in a church if I had a spiritual problem because of their knowledge and experience; that's what I imagine is meant by being close to God.
Edit: More about Jesus.
Popes are chosen through a joint council of all the Cardinals in the Catholic Church. They elect the Pope, with the supposed help of the Holy Spirit (though I doubt Francis was chosen that way), to succeed as Bishop of Rome.
The Pope's one and only job is to defend the Catholic Faith, as established by Christ, not to create it or spearhead developments in doctrine but, just to defend what has already been established.