
What is the authority of the Pope?
It should now be obvious that the pope of the Roman Catholic Church has authority over all men from highest to lowest, an authority recognized and therefore most commonly exercised within the Church itself.
What did Pope Leo I do for the church?
Pope Leo I was a significant contributor to the centralisation of spiritual authority within the Church and in reaffirming papal authority. The bishop of Rome had gradually become viewed as the chief patriarch in the Western church. On several occasions, Leo was asked to arbitrate disputes in Gaul.
Did Christ empower the popes of the Roman Catholic Church to act vicars?
In one sense, to establish that Christ empowered the popes of the Roman Catholic Church to act as his vicars is sufficient to establish everything else about Christianity, including the foundation of the Church.
What did the Pope do in 1493 AD?
AD 1493: The Pope asserts rights to colonize, convert, and enslave. Pope Alexander VI issues a papal bull or decree, “Inter Caetera," in which he authorizes Spain and Portugal to colonize the Americas and its Native peoples as subjects.
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How did the first pope get his authority?
Peter received this authority, according to the theory, when Jesus referred to him as the rock of the church and said to him, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:18–19).
Who gave the Catholic church authority?
Era of Charlemagne New texts were being discovered and disseminated at rapid pace in the late 700s and early 800s and patristic authorship became important for establishing a text's authority in Catholic theology.
What authority did the pope have?
Unlike any other religious leader, the pope can send and receive ambassadors and sign international treaties. The nuncios, who are usually also archbishops, represent the pope to more than 180 countries and organisations.
Who came up with the idea of the pope?
The word "Pope" is an English version of the Greek and Latin "papa," which means "father." It was first used by Pope Siricius in the fourth century. Pope Gregory VII (1073-85) restricted its use to the Bishop of Rome.
Why do Catholics worship the Pope?
The papacy is an additional source of authority for Catholics. While many Catholics often turn to theBible for guidance, they are also able to turn to the teachings of the pope. The pope is important as he represents a direct line back to Jesus . In this sense, Catholics see Jesus as being present in the papacy.
Why is the pope so powerful?
The pope is considered one of the world's most powerful people due to the extensive diplomatic, cultural, and spiritual influence of his position on both 1.3 billion Catholics and those outside the Catholic faith, and because he heads the world's largest non-government provider of education and health care, with a vast ...
When did the pope gain power?
When Romulus Augustulus was overthrown in the west by Odoacer, the Germanic King, in 476CE, the Papacy gained authority over the following years.
When did the pope lose power?
On July 18, 1536, the English Parliament passed the law titled “An Act Extinguishing the authority of the bishop of Rome” (28 Hen. 8 c. 10). This was in fact one of a series of laws which had been passed during the previous four years, severing England from the pope and the Roman Catholic Church.
Do Catholics have to obey the pope?
All Catholics, the church teaches, must practice obedience of faith: assent of faith to the magisterium and divine revelation (word of God), and religious submission to the Pope and other bishops. This includes obedience to one's conscience and obedience to valid law.
Has a pope ever been killed?
John VIII was the first pope to be assassinated during a particularly turbulent century that would see multiple claimants to the papacy and a succession of violent papal deaths.
Does the pope get paid?
The pope will not be affected by the cuts, because he does not receive a salary. “As an absolute monarch, he has everything at his disposal and nothing at his disposal,” Mr. Muolo said. “He doesn't need an income, because he has everything that he needs.”
Has any pope been married?
There have been at least four Popes who were legally married before taking Holy Orders: St Hormisdas (514–523), Adrian II (867–872), John XVII (1003) and Clement IV (1265–68) – though Hormisdas was already a widower by the time of his election.
Where does the church's authority come from?
Christian churches regard the question of authority — the divine right to preach, act in the name of God and direct the Lord's church — in different ways. Some, like the Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Coptic churches, emphasize a continuous line of authority from the early apostles.
What does the Bible say about church authority?
Although the heart of leadership according to scripture is servanthood (Mark 10:42-45), the Bible also teaches that legitimate leaders have authority, in the sense of a right to direct others. This authority comes from God and is delegated to leaders for the good of the church.
Who is has the most authority in the Catholic Church?
The Supreme Pontiff (the Pope) is a local ordinary for the whole Catholic Church. In Eastern Catholic Churches, Patriarchs, major archbishops, and metropolitans have ordinary power of governance for the whole territory of their respective autonomous particular churches.
What is a church authority?
Church authority means the Bishop or a person or body having administrative authority of or in a Church body to license, appoint, authorise, dismiss or suspend a Church worker and in relation to a churchwarden or vestry member elected by a general meeting of a parish, the Bishop in Council; Sample 1.
What is the significance of the passages below in which the Popes, by their statements or their actions, reveal their?
Most significant are the passages below in which the popes, by their statements or their actions, reveal their understanding of their own authority in the Church, such as when Pope Clement I commanded the church of Corinth to reinstate its leadership , or when Pope Victor excommunicated the churches of Asia Minor as a group , after which the other bishops sought to change Victor’s mind but did not challenge his authority to have made the excommunication.
What does the Fathers say about Rome?
In a wide variety of ways, the Fathers attest to the fact that the church of Rome was the central and most authoritative church. They attest to the Church’s reliance on Rome for advice, for mediation of disputes, and for guidance on doctrinal issues. They note, as Ignatius of Antioch does, that Rome “holds the presidency” among the other churches, and that, as Irenaeus explains, “because of its superior origin, all the churches must agree” with Rome. They are also clear on the fact that it is communion with Rome and the bishop of Rome that causes one to be in communion with the Catholic Church. This displays a recognition that, as Cyprian of Carthage puts it, Rome is “the principal church, in which sacerdotal unity has its source.”
What did the early Church believe?
What the Early Church Believed: The Authority of the Pope. In other Catholic Answers tracts, we have shown that the Church Fathers recognized that Jesus made Peter the rock on which he would build his Church, that this gave Peter a special primacy, that Peter went to Rome, and that he left successors there. In this tract we will show that they also ...
Who were the two most glorious apostles of the Church?
“But since it would be too long to enumerate in such a volume as this the succession of all the churches, we shall confound all those who, in whatever manner, whether through self-satisfaction or vainglory, or through blindness and wicked opinion, assemble other than where it is proper, by pointing out here the successions of the bishops of the greatest and most ancient church known to all, founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul, that church which has the tradition and the faith which comes down to us after having been announced to men by the apostles. With that church, because of its superior origin, all the churches must agree, that is, all the faithful in the whole world, and it is in her that the faithful everywhere have maintained the apostolic tradition” (Against Heresies 3:3:2 [A.D. 189]).
Is Rome in communion with the Catholic Church?
They are also clear on the fact that it is communion with Rome and the bishop of Rome that causes one to be in communion with the Catholic Church. This displays a recognition that, as Cyprian of Carthage puts it, Rome is “the principal church, in which sacerdotal unity has its source.”. Most significant are the passages below in which the popes, ...
When was the Pope's authority established?
The status and authority of the pope in the Catholic Church was dogmatically defined by the First Vatican Council on 18 July 1870. In its Dogmatic Constitution of the Church of Christ, the council established the following canons:
Who is the Pope?
The pope ( Latin: papa, from Greek: πάππας, romanized : pappas, "father"), also known as the supreme pontiff ( Pontifex maximus) or the Roman pontiff ( Romanus Pontifex ), is the bishop of Rome, head of the worldwide Catholic Church and head of state or sovereign of the Vatican City State.
What is the papal interregnum?
The current regulations regarding a papal interregnum —that is, a sede vacante ("vacant seat") —were promulgated by Pope John Paul II in his 1996 document Universi Dominici Gregis. During the "sede vacante" period, the College of Cardinals is collectively responsible for the government of the Church and of the Vatican itself, under the direction of the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church; however, canon law specifically forbids the cardinals from introducing any innovation in the government of the Church during the vacancy of the Holy See. Any decision that requires the assent of the pope has to wait until the new pope has been elected and accepts office.
What was the Gregorian Reform?
This reform movement gained strength with the election of Pope Gregory VII in 1073, who adopted a series of measures in the movement known as the Gregorian Reform, in order to fight strongly against simony and the abuse of civil power and try to restore ecclesiastical discipline, including clerical celibacy.
How long did the Pope's reign last?
There have been a number of popes whose reign lasted about a month or less. In the following list the number of calendar days includes partial days. Thus, for example, if a pope's reign commenced on 1 August and he died on 2 August, this would count as having reigned for two calendar days.
What was the first edict of Milan?
The Edict of Milan in 313 granted freedom to all religions in the Roman Empire , beginning the Peace of the Church. In 325, the First Council of Nicaea condemned Arianism, declaring trinitarianism dogmatic, and in its sixth canon recognized the special role of the Sees of Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch. Great defenders of Trinitarian faith included the popes, especially Pope Liberius, who was exiled to Berea by Constantius II for his Trinitarian faith, Damasus I, and several other bishops.
Why is the Black Pope called the Black Pope?
This name, based on the black colour of his cassock, was used to suggest a parallel between him and the "White Pope" (since the time of Pius V the popes dress in white) and the cardinal prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (formerly called the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith), whose red cardinal's cassock gave him the name of the "Red Pope" in view of the authority over all territories that were not considered in some way Catholic. In the present time this cardinal has power over mission territories for Catholicism, essentially the Churches of Africa and Asia, but in the past his competence extended also to all lands where Protestants or Eastern Christianity was dominant. Some remnants of this situation remain, with the result that, for instance, New Zealand is still in the care of this Congregation.
What is the Pope's office?
The "Pope" is not really an office, but merely a nickname for the Bishop of Rome. St. Peter ended his days as the Bishop of Rome, and the Bishop of Rome succeeds to the ministry of St. Peter as the head of the universal Church. "Pope," is merely a nick-name from the early 300s. It comes from the Greek word "papa," that means "father" or "patriarch." It was not exclusive to the Bishop of Rome himself. Rather, in the very ancient Church, there were three regional patriarchal bishops (1) Rome, (2) Alexandria (in Egypt), and (3) Antioch (in Syria)in that order of primacy. All three of these bishops derived their authority from St. Peter and from ties of discipleship between Peter (in Rome) and his disciples Mark (in Alexandria) and Evodius (in Antioch). It was necessary to have patriarchs in different parts of the world when fast communication and transportation systems did not exist.
What is the Pope's ministry?
On the contrary: the Pope’s ministry is a guarantee of obedience to Christ and to his Word. He must not proclaim his own ideas, but rather constantly bind himself and the Church to obedience to God’s Word, in the face of every attempt to adapt it or water it down, and every form of opportunism.".
What did Jesus say about Peter?
Catholics believe that Jesus had a very specific purpose in saying that Peter was the Rock upon which he would build his Church . He was evoking Isaiah 22:22. Some Evangelicals think that the Greek word that means "rock" did not refer to Peter but only to his "delaration.".
Why did Peter ask to be crucified upside down?
Peter requested to be crucified upside down because he felt unworthy of dying on the cross the way his Lord and Saviour died. Ever since the time of Peter's death, the Church has symbolized Peter's martyrdom with an upside down cross. This is called a "Petrine Cross." The Vatican is built on the place where Peter was martyred. The Pope sits in the seat of Peter and therefore there are "Petrine" crosses (upside down) in the Vatican. The Church will not discontinue the Petrine Cross (Peter's Cross) just because satanists are trying hijack the Cross to mock us. Nor will the Church discontinue a 2000 year old tradition that was recognized by all Christians until the 1500's because some Evangelicals are confused as to its meaning.
Why was Joshua son of Nun full of the spirit of wisdom?
Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him (Deut 31:1-8)
What is the office of Chancellor in the Old Testament?
In the Old Testament, the office of Chancellor was a dynasty that had successors. This was evidenced by the reference to an office, a throne, a robe, authority, and the keys. This office also sounds a lot like a present day Pope. The key holder is called a father.
Where did the word "papa" come from?
It comes from the Greek word "papa," that means "father" or "patriarch.". It was not exclusive to the Bishop of Rome himself. Rather, in the very ancient Church, there were three regional patriarchal bishops (1) Rome, (2) Alexandria (in Egypt), and (3) Antioch (in Syria)in that order of primacy.
Who established papal supremacy?
The Catholic doctrine of papal supremacy is based on the assertion by the Bishops of Rome that it was instituted by Christ and that papal succession is traced back to Peter the Apostle in the 1st century.
Who was the Pope in the third century?
In the third century, Pope Cornelius convened and presided over a synod of 60 African and Eastern bishops, and his rival, the antipope Novatian, claimed to have "assumed the primacy". In the complex development of papal supremacy, two broad phases may be noted.
What was the second Vatican Council?
At the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) the debate on papal primacy and authority re-emerged, and in the dogmatic constitution Lume n gentium, the Catholic Church's teaching on the authority of the pope, bishops and councils was further elaborated. Vatican II sought to clarify the ecclesiology stated in Vatican I.
What was Pope Leo's role in the Church?
Pope Leo I was a significant contributor to the centralisation of spiritual authority within the Church and in reaffirming papal authority. The bishop of Rome had gradually become viewed as the chief patriarch in the Western church. On several occasions, Leo was asked to arbitrate disputes in Gaul. One involved Hilary of Arles, who refused to recognize Leo's judicial status. Leo appealed to past practice, "And so we would have you recollect, brethren, as we do, that the Apostolic See, such is the reverence in which it is held, has times out of number been referred to and consulted by the priests of your province as well as others, and in the various matters of appeal, as the old usage demanded, it has reversed or confirmed decisions: and in this way "the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace Ephesians 4:3 has been kept...", Feeling that the primatial rights of the bishop of Rome were threatened, Leo appealed to the civil power for support and obtained, from Valentinian III, a decree of 6 June 445, which recognized the primacy of the bishop of Rome based on the merits of Peter, the dignity of the city, and the legislation of the First Council of Nicaea; and provided for the forcible extradition by provincial governors of any bishop who refused to answer a summons to Rome.
What is the doctrine of the Pope?
Doctrine that the Pope has supreme power over the whole Church. Not to be confused with Papal primacy or Papal temporal power. This article is about the Catholic spiritual doctrine. For the doctrine of temporal authority in the Holy Roman Empire, see Universal power.
What did Vatican II teach about the Pope?
Vatican II reaffirmed everything Vatican I taught about papal primacy, supremacy and infallibility, but it added important points about bishops. Bishops, it says, are not "vicars of the Roman Pontiff". Rather, in governing their local churches they are "vicars and legates of Christ." Together, they form a body, a " college ", whose head is the pope. This episcopal college is responsible for the well-being of the Universal Church. Here in a nutshell are the basic elements of the Council's much-discussed communio ecclesiology, which affirms the importance of local churches and the doctrine of collegiality.
What was the purpose of Vatican II?
The result is the body of teaching about the papacy and episcopacy contained in Lumen gentium . Vatican II reaffirmed everything Vatican I taught about papal primacy, supremacy and infallibility, but it added important points about bishops.
What was Luther's fundamental objection to the authority of the Pope?
Luther’s fundamental objection to the authority of the pope originates in the belief that the leaders of the church should constantly be re-examining Scripture to know what to believe and how to act. (Also see Protestants vs Lutherans: What’s the Difference?)
What did Martin Luther believe about the pope?
By the time of his death, he and many others considered the pope to be the antichrist. This particular belief did not stand the test of time, but his earlier musings certainly did.
What do Protestants think of the Pope?
Protestants believe that the Catholic church’s beliefs about the office of the pope is based on a misunderstanding of Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels. According to this view, the Catholic church’s teaching about the pope takes verses and passages out of context. (Also see Do Protestants Have Confession?)
What did Luther call Christians to do at the end of his 95 Theses?
At the end of his 95 Theses, Luther calls for Christians to imitate Christ in his service to others and the gospel. Every Christian has an obligation to live a life of repentance, and the papal idea of purchasing indulgences does not fit well into this vision of the Christian life.
What does the Catholic Church say about early Christian literature?
What does the Catholic church say about early Christian literature? Catholic historians and theologians argue that their view is evident in writings from early church fathers like Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Tertullian who wrote about penance and the forgiveness of sin. (Also see Why Don’t Protestants Make the Sign of the Cross?)
What power did Jesus give his followers?
In these passages, Jesus gives his followers the power to forgive and retain sin. The heart of the disagreement is this question: do Jesus’ words apply to only the apostles or to all believers?
When did the Catholic Church start establishing the doctrine of papal infallibility?
Throughout much of its history, the Catholic Church has treated the pronouncements of the pope as authoritative. However, it wasn’t until Vatican I in 1870 that the Church laid out the doctrine of papal infallibility in detail.
Who issued the papal bulls?from britannica.com
Both Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis issued papal bulls to announce years of jubilee: the Great Jubilee from 2000 to 2001 and the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy from 2015 to 2016, respectively. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello, Assistant Editor.
Why did Pope Boniface excommunicate Pietro and Jacopo?from en.wikipedia.org
Jacopo Colonna and Pietro Colonna, both cardinals, were excommunicated by Pope Boniface VIII for refusing to surrender their relative Stefano Colonna (who had seized and robbed the pope's nephew) and refusing to give the pope Palestrina along with two fortresses, which threatened the pope. This excommunication was extended in the same year to Jacopo's nephews and their heirs, after the two Colonna cardinals denounced the pope's election as invalid and appealed to a general council.
What is the third issuance of Eugenius IV's bull?from en.wikipedia.org
Third issuance of Eugenius IV's bull. Confirms the earlier revocation of privileges and restrictions against Spanish and Italian Jews.
What is the meaning of the revoked privileges of Castilian Jews?from en.wikipedia.org
Revokes the privileges of the Castilian Jews and imposes severe restrictions on them. Forbids Castilian Christians to eat, drink, live or bathe with Jews or Muslims and declaring invalid the testimony of Jews or Muslims against Christians.
What did Clement V say about the bull?from en.wikipedia.org
Reiterated Clement V's bull, Exivi de paradiso, while stating that friars that disagreed with their superiors would not accuse them of violating Franciscan rule.
What was the first legal expression of territorial sovereignty?from en.wikipedia.org
The first legal expression of territorial sovereignty. ... Ruled that an emperor could not judge a king ... that public power was territorially confined.
What was the letter sent to the Mongol princes?from en.wikipedia.org
Letter sent to two young Mongol princes, Saron and Cassian, urging their conversion to Christianity.

Overview
Status and authority
The status and authority of the pope in the Catholic Church was dogmatically defined by the First Vatican Council on 18 July 1870. In its Dogmatic Constitution of the Church of Christ, the council established the following canons:
If anyone says that the blessed Apostle Peter was not established by the Lord …
History
The word pope derives from Greek πάππας ('páppas'), meaning 'father'. In the early centuries of Christianity, this title was applied, especially in the East, to all bishops and other senior clergy, and later became reserved in the West to the bishop of Rome during the reign of Pope Leo I (440–461), a reservation made official only in the 11th century. The earliest record of the use of the title of 'po…
Saint Peter and the origin of the papal office
The Catholic Church teaches that, within the Christian community, the bishops as a body have succeeded to the body of the apostles (apostolic succession) and the bishop of Rome has succeeded to Saint Peter.
Scriptural texts proposed in support of Peter's special position in relation to the church include:
• Matthew 16: I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hel…
Election, death and resignation
The pope was originally chosen by those senior clergymen resident in and near Rome. In 1059, the electorate was restricted to the cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, and the individual votes of all cardinal electors were made equal in 1179. The electors are now limited to those who have not reached 80 on the day before the death or resignation of a pope. The pope does not need to be a car…
Titles
Popes adopt a new name on their accession, known as papal name, in Italian and Latin. Currently, after a new pope is elected and accepts the election, he is asked, "By what name shall you be called?" The new pope chooses the name by which he will be known from that point on. The senior cardinal deacon, or cardinal protodeacon, then appears on the balcony of Saint Peter's to proclai…
Regalia and insignia
• Triregnum, also called the "tiara" or "triple crown", represents the pope's three functions as "supreme pastor", "supreme teacher" and "supreme priest". Recent popes have not, however, worn the triregnum, though it remains the symbol of the papacy and has not been abolished. In liturgical ceremonies the pope wears an episcopal mitre (an erect cloth hat).
Politics of the Holy See
The pope's official seat is in the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, considered the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, and his official residence is the Apostolic Palace. He also possesses a summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, situated on the site of the ancient city of Alba Longa. Until the time of the Avignon Papacy, the residence of the pope was the Lateran Palace, donated by Roman emperor Constantine …