[marshmallow]

I think you just said that yes, they are Catholics, and the Pope and the Vatican labels them as such, counts them as such.

You think so? Then let me see if I can make it clear.

It's really simple. See if you can grasp this.

Belief is important.

If it isn't, then anybody can be labeled anything.

What am I missing?

[ansel12]

So the Pope, and the Vatican do not count those people as Catholics?

Those “non-Catholics” are removed when the Pope or the Vatican offers numbers for the Catholic population?