If the US team managed to win, I would be fucking astounded. The team's made the top 4 exactly once when they got 3rd place in 1930. 96 whole years without placing. I know the US doesn't care about the sport much, but still shocked me a bit when I learned that.
Ever since the pope got ignored at the Peace of Westphalia over 400 years ago, the position has lost quite a bit of its power, especially political power. Most Catholics don't listen to the pope, why would everyone else listen to him?
This doesn't work about 80% of the time. Edit: Using slurs at the end of your questions works 100% of the time though.