But then, by implied results, OP is also correct. The reason they are pissed by getting no clarification is because they don't want the "heretical" interpretati

But then, by implied results, OP is also correct. The reason they are pissed by getting no clarification is because they don't want the "heretical" interpretation to get any foothold. And the reason the pope doesn't answer that request is because he wants the "heretical" interpretation to succeed without himself being excommunicated. If he says "yep, that's what I mean" he starts to have a big problem. But nobody can punish him for not clarifying a footnote. But if there wouldn't be the underlying conflict of interest the request and non-answer for clarification wouldn't be a topic people would think about. The difference between you and OP is merely the question of which layer is discussed. The layer of facts or the layer of meaning.