Putting the Pope between God and Man is bad; putting communists between man and God is about the same, no?
Your comparison is like comparing apples and Vespas, no connection whatsoever.
The Pope is merely a vicar, which is a representative or deputy on earth for the Lord. The same position was STARTED by St. Peter.
One can visit St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and see the list of ALL the popes in the last 2000 years, with Peter's name at the top. They weren't all the best of popes, but our good Lord DID leave His Church in the hands of His "vicars."
And yes, the list IS engraved in granite.
For the commies, there IS NO God, so the question is moot.