What does the woman mean by say that her mother was like the pope?

Daniel: You mentioned your mother as Momma. I’ ve read that your mom was a very strong influence?
Marianne: Yes, my mother was the total influence.
Daniel: What about your father then? What kind of a man is he?
Marianne: My father was fine, but he had another line. He was what we call a nomadic person; he was a wanderer.
Daniel: Your mother must have been a strong woman?
Marianne: That’s right. That’s what it was in those days. Momma would wash his feet and do things like that. He was great in his own right, just not much of a family man. People have their reasons for doing things, it hurt not having a father at home, but I didn’t know it at the time.
Daniel: Your mother raised you on her own.
Marianne: My mother was like the pope. My mother was a great influence on me. Any talent that I have -- anything that I have -- comes straight from her. She was just loving to all people. Not only me. I remember when she was in the hospital and quite sick she had every medal imaginable on her. She’s say, "I don’t want to take any chances. "She was an amazing influence on me.
Daniel: Can one get over the death of a parent then.."
Marianne: I call them pathfinders because they lead the path for you. Death can’t be so bad if mom went through it. It makes it easier for the child to follow.