But is the Pope or Catholic Church making their religion a political party?
MOST priests (The Pope is still a priest.) don't do that. They give their entire adult lives to God. Not more more one can give.
Giving their life to GOD precludes politics.
However, if abortion, government-funded-abortion, artificial birth control, divorce-remarry, abuse of body, soul and anyone else, lying, cheating, stealing are deemed "political," then YES their life involves politics.
Since those above mentioned actions are SINFUL, then I guess priests, by virtue of their CALLING, ARE involved in politics.