Some Catholics at all levels have taken offense in the past when Reformed and Evangelical Christians have asserted that Catholicism is non-salvational.

These complaining Catholics have pointed to "this evidence", or "that evidence", "written somewhere", or "practiced somewhere", that allegedly proves that Catholicism is not that far different from the Evangelical faith and thus Catholicism per se should be accepted by Evangelicals as a "Brother, similar, faith" -- and generally Evangelicals are some kind of prejudiced bigots for not accepting Catholicism in that way.

Well an Evangelical, to be an Evangelical, must believe in the Reformation rally cry --

"Saved, by grace, by faith, in the substitutionary Blood of Christ, PLUS NOTHING".

Now listen to me carefully and don't distort what I am saying.

Surely it is true that many Catholics in their heart of hearts believe this, and thus are saved, and thus are my beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, as I shall always consider all who are saved in the Blood.

But Catholicism itself offiicialy and formally DOES NOT TEACH "Saved, by grace, by faith, in the substitutionary Blood of Christ, PLUS NOTHING".

Here is where the great divide occurred and it is as big today as it was from the beginning.

Peter said "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."

Jesus said, "Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but the Father who is in Heaven revealed this to you."

"And I say to you you are Peter [a rock] and on this Rock I will build my church."

What Rock?  On what Rock will Jesus build his church?

Clearly, it could refer back to one of two things.

It could be referred back to

A DECLARATION OF FAITH AS REVEALED BY THE FATHER

or it could refer back to

THIS MAN PETER WHOM I HAVE JUST SYMBOLICALLY NAMED THE ROCK.

Protestants, Reformed, and Evangelicals say Christ will build his church on people declaring faith in Christ, as it is revealed by the Father. (Which I say is reiterated hundreds of times throughout Scripture.)

Catholicism says Jesus will build his church through Peter as the first Pope, and the established church that traces it's authoritative succession back to him.  (Which best I can tell, occurs in the Bible, if at all, only once right here.)

The Pope, in reiterating the view that Christ will build his church through the one true church, the Catholic Church, has put us all on notice that --

-- Since salvation is not "by faith plus nothing" we need actual PRIESTS in his church to mediate out relationship with God.

--  We need repeated infusions of grace through the Eucharist as administered by the Church.

-- We need a Queen of Heaven to make intercession for us directly to Jesus

 . . . and a whole lot of other things that would be made totally unnecessary if we were "Saved, by grace, by faith, in the substitutionary Blood of Christ, PLUS NOTHING" -- which this Church does not teach.

So I am dumbfounded that Protestant leaders are in an outcry over what the Pope said!

Aw, c'mon you guys, you knew all along that is what Catholicism believes.  Why are you surprised?

And why should we care what the leader of a religion that has salvation all wrong says about us?

The Pope declares, "We are the one true Church!  You need to align yourself with us!'

Evangelicalism declares, "Saved, by grace, by faith, in the substitutionary Blood of Christ, PLUS NOTHING.  You need to align yourself with that!"

And until one side or the other changes to other's the view, I cannot see, and do not want, the twain to meet.

And me, myself?  I will go to my death proclaiming "Saved, by grace, by faith, in the substitutionary Blood of Christ, PLUS NOTHING"