The Bishop of Rome, the earthly head of the Roman Catholic Church.
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2answers
399 views
Does the pope get paid for being the pope?
I just started wondering after seeing the white smoke, did the cardinal just receive a raise when he became the pope? What's his salary if he is paid.
14
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3answers
1k views
When does the Pope speak ex cathedra?
The Catholic Church considers the Pope infallible, but only in limited circumstances. The Pope is a human being like the rest of us, and capable of sinning. However, when the Pope speaks ex cathedra, ...
12
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1answer
227 views
What is the argument for papal succession?
First off, I do not mean for this question to sound as an attack on the Catholic Church. I would like to know the stance of the church regarding this.
I found this resource, which documents the ...
12
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1answer
177 views
Why can't cardinals over 80 vote in the conclave?
Why can't cardinals over 80 vote in the conclave? Is there a reason given anywhere?
11
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1answer
125 views
What Popes have resigned in the past?
Pope Benedict XVI recently announced his resignation. What other Popes have abdicated in the past? The media keep pointing to Gregory XII, but it is my understanding that he was deposed by the Council ...
9
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2answers
137 views
The Pope is resigning. How does a living pope confer his authority?
I read that Pope Benedict XVI is resigning. I don't know much about Catholic/papal authority as it relates to leading the Church, but as far as I can remember, a pope dies before another one takes the ...
8
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2answers
131 views
What makes someone an antipope?
Rather straight forward question. There have been multiple men declared antipopes. Is it different each time, or generally the same set of circumstances that causes this?
8
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2answers
105 views
When did Peter become the first Pope, according to Roman Catholic doctrine?
Roman Catholic doctrine teaches that the apostle Peter was the first Pope. Exactly when did this occur?
I can imagine a few different options
When Jesus addressed Peter in Matthew:
I also ...
8
votes
2answers
92 views
Beatification of the pope
If the pope is infallible, than what significance does beatifying and canonising him have? They did both to John Paul II, but it seems odd that the church wants to make him a saint, unless I am ...
7
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2answers
410 views
Why did the Catholic church stop supporting Genesis creation?
I read that cardinal Ratzinger stated the story in Genesis 1 and 2 should not be interpreted as a literal account of the beginning of things. In spite of recent events like this, they have always been ...
7
votes
3answers
327 views
What is the biblical basis for the doctrine of Papal Infallibility taught by the Catholic Church?
I understand that the Catholic Churches teaches the doctrine of Papal Infallibility. What is the biblical basis for this and how does that account for the Scripture that references Peter's error?
...
7
votes
2answers
88 views
Is the choice of a new Pope inspired by the Holy Spirit?
Are Roman Catholics required to believe that the Cardinals choice of a new Pope is inspired by the Holy Spirit?
If so, how do we explain "bad" popes?
7
votes
1answer
81 views
What is the relationship between international branches of the LDS Church?
According to this story on NPR, Mitt Romney's campaign and his anti-Russian remarks have apparently been the impetus for Putin's "Young Guard" to dog Mormon churches in Russia, accusing them of being ...
7
votes
1answer
113 views
How do the vestments of the pontiff emeritus compare to those of a bishop emeritus?
As widely reported, Pope Benedict XVI will wear "a simple white cassock without the mozzetta" during his retirement, and will no longer use the rest of the traditional pontifical regalia, such as the ...
7
votes
2answers
114 views
Has the Roman Catholic Church ever issued an official response to the accusations of the Reformers?
I just started reading Luther's Tabletalk, and the preface, written by Dr. John Aurifaber in 1569, roundly condemns the Roman Catholic Church, presenting an analogy which compares Christians' ...
7
votes
1answer
100 views
Is gender a property of essence or existence?
In his address, the Holy Father said:
According to the biblical creation account, being created by God as
male and female pertains to the essence of the human creature.
The use of the word ...
6
votes
2answers
123 views
Have different Popes ever contradicted each other?
I understand that Roman Catholics do not think that everything the Pope says or does is infallible. However, has a sitting Pope ever revoked or contradicted an infallible statement made by a previous ...
6
votes
7answers
617 views
What are the biblical arguments against the papacy and papal succession?
The Catholic Church teaches that Peter was the first pope and that papal succession continued down through history to the present day. However, neither the Orthodox nor the Protestant churches ...
5
votes
2answers
188 views
What does “Habemus Papam” mean?
I'm seeing this phrase being displayed on all the news channels, in conjunction with a lot of cheering people under umbrellas who have been waiting for the new pope to be elected. Is there some sort ...
5
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1answer
108 views
Why did Pope Clement V leave Rome and relocate to Avignon, France?
What were some reasons why Pope Clement V left Rome and relocated to Avignon, France?
5
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1answer
79 views
What is the Holy See and when is it appropriate to use this term?
Is the Pope, himself, ever referred to as the Holy See or is it simply the place where he lives?
Wikipedia says, "Often incorrectly referred to as 'the Vatican', the Holy See is not the same entity ...
5
votes
1answer
68 views
Was the white smoke ever supposed to be miraculous?
With everybody waiting on a puff of white smoke to eminate from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the engineer in me is curious about the mechanics.
I know in modern times that a special additive ...
4
votes
2answers
163 views
Is the Pope morally obliged to submit to every secular authority?
Among the Protestant faith a believer is to submit to the government:
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to ...
4
votes
1answer
83 views
What happens to retired Popes like Pope Benedict?
Does the pope get paid for being the pope?
The above question is answered very well and shows that the Pope genuinely has no personal assets. He is well cared for by the Vatican.
But what about the ...
4
votes
2answers
232 views
The Popes Prophecy of St. Malachy - the city of seven hills
Reading through this prophecy, I couldn't understand what a phrase in this last part means:
Peter the Roman, who will nourish the sheep in many tribulations; when
they are finished, the city of ...
4
votes
1answer
228 views
How long can a conclave last?
In a short time a new conclave for the election of the new Catholic pope is taking place.
I was wondering if we will have a new pope in a short time. I don't konw much about the previous popes in ...
4
votes
1answer
188 views
Why did John Wycliffe oppose papal authority in the 14th century?
He's been called the "Eosphoros of the Reformation", but how did he come to realise that it was the Bible which spoke against papal authority above government authority?
3
votes
4answers
270 views
Can a married person be elected as the Pope?
What is The Roman Catholic law for electing the Pope in this area for a married person? If a married person is elected, what will happen to his wife after becoming the Pope?
3
votes
1answer
144 views
What personal possessions did Pope John Paul II have at the time of death?
The pope recieves no salary, but from what I understand, popes do have some personal possessions. A personal possesion is something that you own. For example, Pope Benedict XVI, I believe, had a ...
3
votes
1answer
82 views
Why did it take so long for papal infallibility to be defined?
I have a question about papal infallibility. According to this source,
That the Church is infallible in her definitions on faith and morals is itself a Catholic dogma, which, although it was ...
2
votes
3answers
108 views
If God were going to send another Biblical flood, would He warn us?
It goes without saying - Before 'The Flood of Noah', God warned Noah that it was coming.
But I wonder - If most of humanity turned evil again, and God was about to send another Biblical flood, would ...
2
votes
2answers
75 views
Is there any method to prevent an unbelieving pope from being elected?
Jesus did not seem to have any method to prevent a false apostle to become an apostle, as Judas has shown. (Not to imply that he could not have used one if it was the Father's will). Also, in ...
1
vote
1answer
144 views
Is it true that Luther claimed Popes and priests commonly practiced sodomy?
This is a simple historical Q & A question regarding the rumor that Luther made this fairly inflammatory accusation. The question is simple. Is there any solid proof that Luther really thought ...
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0answers
137 views
What are your reasons for not believing in the Popes claim that he's Gods representative? [closed]
The Catholic church is popular across the world, and for good reasons. The Pope claims to be a representative of God on earth.
But why would we need a representative when the Bible clearly states ...
