Well, the Virgin Mary wasn’t maligned, only a statue of her irreverently used to take shots at fanatics, but I can see how the Pope’s treatment might qualify as contemptuous.
Treating men consider by some as sacred with irreverence is foundational to South Park. If this universally qualifies as blasphemy to Catholics, it looks to me like you’re operating with a chip on your shoulder by promoting a mortal to virtual deity status. It looks like you’re saying obscene references to him are on the same level as obscene references to God, both being blasphemy.
Well, maybe you can send in a photo of your mother for them to denigrate next time, then we can all have a good laugh.
I did not say anything about the level of blasphemy. The epsiode was balsphemous both because of the obscene reference to Virgin Mary, either direct or to her statue, and to the pope. If you don't like Catholic theology, don't become Catholic.