Catholics are followers of Jesus Christ
Thats just not true. The Lord is always at the forefront as the forgiver and redeemer of sins.
Confession is what you're referring to and its just a form of repentance the same way as "Iron sharpens iron so man sharpens man".
John 3 is a good explanation to baptism its a rebirth into a better life with God at the center.
I think you have it confused that people focus on the pope that's why you would be a catholic but that's not true either. Its the same thing as being baptist just with a different service but its really not. It focuses on the Lord giving His life for the good and even the bad and His life and even the last supper as communion as a way of accepting the Lord. I guess if you focus on the holy sea you could become infatuated with the pope but their isn't one catholic that doesn't go through confirmation and doesn't come closer to the Lord. If that's what you're referring to as a membership then that's fine.