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"Today we welcome Pope Francis to the United States. In so doing, we welcome more than just a popular public figure. We welcome someone whom the Lord prays for in a very special manner. Simon Peter and his successors enjoy a special charism to unite us, by the Lord’s prayer and grace. Let’s look at the scriptural foundation of this prayer and charism and see how essential the office of the pope is for us."

Speaking as a former Roman catholic who has been saved through a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ: What complete and undiluted heretical rubbish.

First of all, Christ prays for all of His saints with equal fervor, passion, and travail. No man is more or less worthy of God's favor, love, or even judgment.

Second of all, Peter did not have any "special charism." Rather, he was filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, as evidenced in the book of Acts. All who call on Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior receive the Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing their inheritance, a counsel, teacher, and even battle partner (paraclete).

It was not upon a man (Peter) that the Church was built, but rather the man's faith.

Finally: The Pope is as essential to the faith and salvation of mankind as a premoistened towelette is to a gunfight. He is nothing more than a sinful man, elected by other sinful men, to be magically transformed into some supposed "vicar of Christ" (an office that not even Christ himself mentioned or created).

If you want answers, look to the wellspring of truth and salvation who is the Lord Jesus Christ, and reject the doctrine of men and demons.

As Deitrich Bonhoeffer famously said: "Christ plus anything is Antichrist; Christ minus anything is Antichrist."