Enlighten the Jewish girl about the Pope
I have a question.
And sometimes when you are writing, rather than speaking face to face about provocative topics, communication can get a little sticky. The tone can get lost. So first let me say that I ask this question with the utmost respect and with a genuine desire for a greater understanding. So here goes:
How do American Catholics feel connected to the Pope?
My lack of understanding is twofold. First, as a Jewish person, I don’t have a comparable public figure in my religion. There is no “head Rabbi”. And second, with the Pope residing across the ocean in Italy, how is this relationship (so to speak) nurtured?
So, if you feel inclined, enlighten me. Tell me how and why you maintain affection for the Pope. Or tell me why you don’t. And if you’re curious like me, I’d like to hear about that too.
Kim Wallis, 33, currently facilitates Rosh Chodesh groups for Jewish teenage girls in the St. Louis area. A graduate of the University of Miami, she worked in asset management for several years and now teaches Pilates part-time. Originally from Chicago, Kim is starting to feel at home in St. Louis with her husband, toddler daughter and infant son. 
Interesting question. Maybe Catholics feel connected to the Pope the way Jewish people feel connected to Israel?
I sense a little condescension from you about the Pope and Catholics, but that’s okay, Catholics are used to being mocked, but we toterate it because we understand free speech. I like that you don’t feel the need to be PC. I find that quite refreshing. As a Catholic, I find it odd that Jews don’t have a world leader. There seems to be no organization. They seem to all want to visit Israel and Muslims visit Mecca, but I know of no world leader that is their head. How will Jews who have rejected Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior know when their savior comes? At least we know that the Muslims, thanks to President of Iran, Ahmidinajad, they are waiting for the 12th Imam to return.
What is the end game for Jews and how will they know when it arrives?
As for the Pope, he is the leader of our flock. He represents the closest we can come on earth to a representation of Christ. Unfortunately, I think there were some Popes in the past that didn’t act very Christian. But the ones in my lifetime have been wonderful examples of Christianity. He appears to be respected by the Jewish faith, but apparently not by the Muslim faith as a group refused to meant with him while in the US because they were mad at him for baptizing a man who was previously a Muslim. I don’t think Muslims truly understand the meaning of freedom. But that is another subject.
I don’t know how all good people could not have been moved by seeing the Pope here in ceremonies and especially at Ground Zero.
The Catholic Church is the one faith that has an obvious leader with his own state, the Vatican, which I think gives a lot of creedence to the faith although some have referred to it as a cult.
He is a greatly loved and respected by Catholics and we follow his lead.