How do you know the pope doesn't do anything else.... The Pope can help call off a war.....
The pope meets with heads of state and maintains diplomatic relationships with more than 100 nations. He conducts liturgies, appoints new bishops and travels. Personally , I Believe that even though if we trust the government we don't have a leader, We need to trust someone else too to lead us like eg. the pope, Khaleefah (Sorry i'm not sure about this one, but it for the muslim community)