That makes sense.

I was imagining individual people listening to his words. Having church leaders disseminate it makes it more powerful.

I haven’t gone to church in years and I freely admit I didn’t think my question all the way through before I asked it. Of course people will listen to what their clergy say. It’s kind of the point.

I’m not Catholic and live in the US

How much power does the Catholic Church and Pope really have anymore? I can’t remember the last time anyone has mentioned the Pope in my day to day life. Not that I’m around people that would talk about it much to begin with.

I wrote a big long post but it boils down I agree with you and you wrote it better.

I beat alcohol after years of trying and more than one rehab. Quitting nicotine right now seems more daunting than the drug that ruined most of my life. It’s that addictive and vaping personally feels better for me than smoking a cigarette.