Elsie:
I never said he was not Pope. He is the Pope, the only Pope of the Catholic Church. I respect his authority and role as Pope but again, I preferred Pope Benedict’s style.
I am just part of the laity. I can have my own views about who I like and don’t like for a Bishop. For example, with respect to my local Bishop, I am just neutral. He is ok, but he too is not my style of Bishop. I still recognize his authority as Bishop of the Diocese and don’t leave the Catholic Church because of he is not of the style I care for. So no, I am not my own Pope. Pope Francis is the Pope and I recognize him as such, despite my preference for Benedict’s style, very measured, his writings always were theologically rich, and he was in terms of Liturgical style more of my liking that either Pope Francis or Pope John Paul II.
I never said ya did...