Popes no longer speak for the RCC?
As for the purchased masses and candles... of course they aren't bought (wink, wink!). And just because the vernacular with the laity includes the language "why don't you buy a mass for poor ole uncle felix; it will mean a lot to aunt esther", doesn't mean that they really believe they're making a purchase.
The defenders of the "faith" will be judged more harshly because of their responsibility.
You wrote: “Popes no longer speak for the RCC?”
No pope ever approved of the sale of indulgences as a proper act. It was, in fact, a violation of canon law.
“As for the purchased masses and candles... of course they aren’t bought (wink, wink!).”
I know of plenty of people, including myself, who have had Masses said and no money was exchanged in the process.
“And just because the vernacular with the laity includes the language “why don’t you buy a mass for poor ole uncle felix; it will mean a lot to aunt esther”, doesn’t mean that they really believe they’re making a purchase.”
I have never heard any Catholic say, “buy” a Mass. I have heard, my whole life long, “Have a Mass said.”
“The defenders of the “faith” will be judged more harshly because of their responsibility.”
I have nothing to worry about in that regard. I don’t spread lies. You might want to think twice about what you spread - especially since you failed to provide a single actual example of what you claimed.