That's a great over-simplification of the Pope's power.
He's certainly not a religious dictator. Yes, he may pronounce absolutely on theological issues, but only happened once, in 1950. Otherwise, power is dispersed among the "Curia" and Cardinals. If functions rather like some medieval university, crossed with a minor royal court, crossed with a supreme court.
Power comes from age, position, reputation, law, and particularly precedent and TRADITION.
Much like our government, we try to disperse power to prevent corruption and perversity - and we also assume most people want freedom (or holiness). But when parasites enter, the people's minds are corrupted, and bureaucrats with evil intent agglomerate power, if one respects the original system and tradition, they can't simply be "eliminated."
I'm not making any justification. Again, with reference to our own government - I myself am trying to understand how great institutions become corrupted - and how they may be redeemed with a minimum of damage and violence.
> He’s certainly not a religious dictator. <
Agreed. But the pope has great temporal power. For example, suppose a seminary has an openly gay club. Close the whole place down, and then rebuild it from scratch. Remove the supervisors from any future leadership positions.
That sort of thing would send a powerful message.
Oh, and I’m not picking on popes particularly here. Most bosses prefer to kick the can down the road rather than make the tough decisions.