1.2 Billion? Perhaps as a cultural benchmark there are many hundred millions that will look towards Roman Catholicism. In terms of believing Roman Catholics? Well under half that number, maybe less than twenty percent.
Which just also happens to coincide with its catastrophic demographic collapse.
But of course, MSN left that bit out....
The Papacy loves gold and boys more than Jesus?
The ruler of the Catholic Church and "the religion" is Jesus Christ. Popes have only served as His vicars, here on earth.
And Bergoglio has recently relegated that title, Vicar of Christ, to the history books. He won't use it. Apparently he's the vicar of another entity (Soros, Satan, perhaps?)
Pope Francis: I’m Not The Vicar of Christ or Successor of the Apostles!
1. Peter is shown and described as being the street-level leader among the 12, and lead pastor of the church at Jerusalem, and with whom Paul once spend 15 days with, and whose clearly manifest power was spiritual. (Acts 5; Gal. 1)
2. Nowhere is the church shown looking to Peter as the first in a line of infallible popes over all the churches.
3. Nowhere is ensured infallibility of papal office promised or taught.
4. Nowhere is any or all the churches commanded to submit to Peter as the corporate head.
5. Peter is not mentioned in Acts after cp. 12.
6. Peter is only mentioned rarely in epistles to churches aside from the two by Peter, who simply calls himself "an apostle," "an elder."
7. Peter is listed 2nd among those who seemed to be pillars in Gal. 2
8. Peter is not said to ordain Paul as an apostle but along with James and John simply gave Paul the right hand of fellowship (which Paul sought in order to prevent his attackers from overthrowing the faith of his converts). Gal. 2.
9. Peter (yet being a great holy man) is the only apostle ever publicly reproved. By Paul. (Gal. 2)
10. Peter is never said or shown to call any councils, or render the final judgment in Acts 15 nor close the council.
12. Peter is not mentioned as being in Rome, nor among the over 30 persons Paul lists in Romans 16.
13. Peter preached the evangelical gospel of salvation by heart-purifying regenerating faith, shown in baptism. (Acts 10:43-47; 15:7-9)
14. Peter is never shown confecting the Eucharist or instructing or appointing elders to do so nor referring it as spiritual food.
15. Nowhere is any there any provision manifest for a successor to Peter.
16. Peter was married. (Matthew 8:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5)
17. Peter was poor. (Acts 3:6)
18. Peter would not let even a pious Gentile bow down to him. (Acts 10)
19. Peter referred to scripture as the more sure word of prophecy, which prophecy he affirmed were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and affirmed writings of Paul as Scripture. (2 Peter 1:19-21; 3:15,16)
20. In many way Paul is manifest as being more of a pope than Peter.