While I am not Christian, the subject does interest me. I've read the entire Bible and no where in there is the need for a pope mentioned. There is no statement about him having a direct line with god, or anything of the sort. If the pope is the one human on earth that has a direct line to god, it seems like that would have been important enough to at least mention in the Bible, no? To me it seems like the church needs him as a leader, but the religion does not. Thoughts?