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You know and I know that I know the distinction. Still, the Catholic Church is frequently identified with Rome especially prior to 1870 when they lost their last armed war.

There is the Roman Catholic branch as distinct from, say the Melkites. Yet the Pope is the patriarch of the Latin branch, as opposed to the Constantinople branch, or the Russian Orthodox branch. Who identifies the Catholic Church as Rome? Catholics? Or antiCatholics? Or non Catholics without opinion? The Pontiff (bridge builder) is simply the first amongst equals of the bishops. The only real squabble we have is the definition of first amongst equals. I pray that that is settled in my lifetime.

Don't count on it as long as your "first among equals" believes all other "equals" are, or must be, subject to him.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm The ROMAN Pontiff.

Sure, and the diocese I was born and raised in is the diocese of Hamilton. The bishop is the bishop of Hamilton. The bishops of the early church started to be associated with a city or area in the first century. The patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church is no different from the patriarch of the Roman Catholic Church.

There are some who commonly refer to the Catholic Church (Latin variety) as "Rome". Your constant acknowledgement of "Rome" as synonomous with "Catholic Church" indicates you have no real misunderstanding of the term. Is it simply a case of Tilting at windmills?

The only real squabble we have is the definition of first amongst equals. I pray that that is settled in my lifetime.

Don't count on it as long as your "first among equals" believes all other "equals" are, or must be, subject to him.

It's too bad that the Orthodox were driven away from FR. We could ask them their viewpoints.

No, it is a case of acknowledging idiots' viewpoints. Many people refer to bison as 'buffalo'. It does not make it so.