Questions tagged [papacy]

Questions concerning the office and the role of the pope.

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What degree of authority does the Pope hold to reveal and declare doctrine, or the word of God?

When Jesus was on the Earth, He (obviously) held the authority to declare whatever doctrine he wished, as the ultimate authority in His church. On a tier just below that, prophets like Moses were ...
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On the Canonization of St. Poeman the Great and the Origin of His Epithet?

Often quoted in the "Sayings or the Desert Fathers," St. Poeman is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as some of the Eastern Orthodox churches. QUESTION: Was St. Poeman ever ...
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St. Athanasius on Papacy?

What did St. Athanasius believe about the Papacy and are there any special mentions of the bishop of Rome in his writings?
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Pope anti-christ Protestant belief? [duplicate]

There is no other Head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 1:22; Col 1:18): nor can the Pope of Rome, in any sense be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin and son of ...
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Did any of the Early Church Fathers believe in the supremacy of St. Peter? [duplicate]

Catholics believe that the Early Church Fathers held to the primacy of St. Peter (ie that Christ gave authority to St. Peter and to his successors to lead the church), but did any of the Early Church ...
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How did the western Church arrive at such a state of corruption by the sixteenth century?

I want to know what went wrong in the Church for it to end up corrupt by the 16th century.
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How central is the claim the pope is the antichrist to Protestant theology?

When I read through Luther's writings awhile back, I noticed he said the pope was the antichrist. I thought this was just some of Luther's usual hyperbolic rhetoric. However, I've learned that many (...
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What was the first infallible statement made by a pope?

According to the Catholic Church, what was the first infallible statement made by a pope, by himself, outside an ecumenical council?
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Could the pope adopt a child?

In conversations with my son (topic irrelevant), he mentioned the idea of being the son of the Pope. I told him that would not be possible (celibacy vow), but he immediately countered: "What if ...
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Did St. John Chrysostom believe in papal primacy?

Did St. John Chrysostom believe in papal papacy—i.e., that the pope has supreme power and primacy over the entire Church?
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Bishop of Antioch? [duplicate]

If the Bishop of Rome is the successor of Saint Peter, why isn't the Bishop of Antioch the pope? Before Peter went to Rome, he was the Patriarch of Antioch. Shouldn't his successors in Antioch have ...
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Did the early church believe in the supremacy of Rome? [duplicate]

Did the early church fathers believe in the supremecy of rome and if so where is the evidance for this? Roman Catholics claim that the church of rome has supreme authority as it is the church of the ...
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Did the early church believe that St. Peter was the first pope?

Roman Catholics believe that St. Peter was the first Pope, had primacy over the church and was given a pastoral role by the Lord Jesus Christ himself, we know the scripture argument for the papacy, ...
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How does the Catholic Church explain their interpretation of Matthew 16:19 (Simon Peter as the first Pope) in light of Matthew 18:18?

In Matthew 16:18–19, Jesus says: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto ...
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St.Thomas Aquinas on Papacy

What are the writings of St.Thomas Aquinas on papacy and church authority?
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Are there any names a Pope can’t choose?

Now beyond the obvious - such as the fact that you can’t select the name and monicker of a real Pope in the past, are there any specific regulations on the naming system?
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What are the primary differences between the Roman Pontificate and the LDS President? [duplicate]

Both the Catholic and Mormon faiths have a sort of hierarchical structure within their respective Churches. At the top we see two contrasting roles, the Mormon President (filled by people such as ...
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How is the claim that the doctrine of Papal Infallibility has always existed within the Church substantiated?

These three related questions regarding Magisterial authority, the Church as custodian of truth, and the authority of Church tradition have brought up this new question. The dogmatic definition (ex ...
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Is the idea that a Pope may be anti-Christ, the same as basically saying the chair of St. Peter is vacant?

Is the idea that a Pope may be anti-Christ, the same as basically saying the chair of St. Peter is vacant? Chair of St. Peter refers to an actual chair, but also the spiritual leadership. In 2012, ...
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Do any denominations teach that the Pope is an antichrist?

I've heard the claim, mainly from Fundamentalists but also from some Lutherans, that the Pope is an antichrist. Are there any Protestant denominations that specifically teach this, whether it be in ...
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What are the significant differences between the Priesthood of the Israelites and the Priesthood of the Catholic Church?

When I research on the Catholic Priesthood, many apologists and theologians will make comparisons between Israelite priests and Catholic priests, especially in reference to the Pope guiding the church....
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What is the earliest example of the observance of a Pope in Rome?

The Pope in Rome has (arguably) succession all the way back to Peter. I am wondering what the earliest acknowledgment of some kind of pastoral power over the church in Rome, whether it be in letter or ...
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Were the Dictatus Papae considered to be spoken "ex cathedra"?

In 1075, Pope Gregory the Seventh decreed the Dictatus Papae, also called the Papal Dictats. One part of the document makes the claim that: The Roman Church has never erred. Nor will it err, to all ...
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Are the arguments made by Popes in "social encyclicals" religious in nature?

Many Catholic friends of mine are seeking religious exemptions to the various Covid-19 mandates. Especially ones who either work from home can prove acquired immunity. For them, notwithstanding the ...
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What level of submission do Catholics give to random things the Pope says?

I was listening to the Megyn Kelly show Episode 193 about 1:30 into it with her interview with Alan Dershowitz he called her something like a heretic for having views contrary to Pope Francis on the ...
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Why are Sts. Peter and Linus not on the cool scrollbar-of-the-popes on vatican.va

I was about to add a glib comment in answer to another post in a act totally unbecoming of a stackexchange moderator, when I noticed that the effect would have been completely lost on the OP owing to ...
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What are the arguments for the Holy Magisterium?

What is the best piece of evidence Catholics have that Jesus started a Petrine ministry with Peter that follows succession? Bonus question: Who succeeded Peter?
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What is the implication of "munus"?

In the Declaratio, Pope Emeritus Benedictus XVI renounced the exercise of the munus, but not the munus itself. So what is the munus and what are the implications of the renunciation of the exercise ...
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How many theologians were censured under popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis?

This question contains three parts: How many theologians were censured under Pope John Paul II? (1978-2005) How many theologians were censured under Pope Benedict XVI? (2005-2013) How many ...
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When the Pope says "We commend to the Lord the souls..." what does it mean exactly? It it a symbolic gesture, a prayer, something else?

The recent NPR news item Pope Francis Expresses Sorrow But No Apology For Indigenous School Deaths In Canada includes the following quote: "We commend to the Lord the souls of all the children ...
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What is the origins of Popes wearing a white soutane with other articles of clothing such as mozzetta in red?

What is the origins of Popes wearing a white soutane with other articles of clothing such as mozzetta in red? Most sources say that the pope wears a white soutane since the time of Pope Pius V. That ...
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Looking for a Copy (Preferably PDF) of ``On the Visible Monarchy'' by Rev. Nicholas Sanders, D.D

I have been reading a book from the Library of St. Francis de Sales entitled ``The Catholic Controversy.'' https://archive.org/details/catholiccontrove00sain In it, he makes mention of and references ...
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Who is this cardinal in this picture?

Who is this pope's auxiliary? I see him with the Pope in many pictures. Thanks
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Does Total Consecration to Mary imply a supernatural wisdom?

Pope St. John Paul II famously promoted Total Consecration including taking "Totus Tuus" as his motto. Does a practice of Total Consecration, sincerely pursued, entail receiving any special ...
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According to Catholicism, are Popes expected to receive power by the Holy Spirit to operate in the miraculous as Peter did?

The Bible records many instances where Peter operated in the supernatural by the power of the Holy Spirit. For example: Peter was among the disciples that were filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost:...
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What is the biblical basis for the belief that Papal supremacy can be passed on from person to person over time? [duplicate]

I know that Matthew 16:18 is commonly cited as the biblical basis for the Papal supremacy of Peter, who is viewed by Catholics as the first Pope. However, what is not yet clear to me is the biblical ...
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Are Catholics allowed to entertain that the Old Vulgate might contains errors?

In Decrees of the First Vatican Council (1868) in Session 3, Chapter 2 "On Revelation", items 6-7 state: The complete books of the old and the new Testament with all their parts, as they ...
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I've heard it said that Pope St. John Paul II wrote in front of the blessed sacrament. Is this true?

I occasionally get the dirty look from people in the adoration chapel, when writing, and was wondering if it's true that Pope St. John Paul II wrote in the adoration chapel.
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Why are there people in Protestant countries with the last name "Pope"? [closed]

The last name "Pope" is prevalent in places such as England and the USA. Are we to assume that all such people are Catholic? If not i.e. if they are Protestant, is this simply the result of ...
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Can a lay person or a group of lay faithful petition the Pope (Vatican) to de-canonize a Saint in light of new findings?

To be specific, I am talking about numerous views recently circulated in different articles saying the Sainthood of Pope St. John Paul II is questionable in light of the findings stated in the ...
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Is there a book that details what the popes said against reformation leaders?

Can anyone recommend a book that have all the declarations, laws, statements, etc of popes during the times of reformers like Tyndale, Luther, etc.?
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Why did the Bishop of Rome accept (and retains until today) the title "Pontifex Maximus" and how were the rights and duties transferred/transformed?

According to the annual yearbook of the Catholic Church, the Bishop of Rome holds many other titles: Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal ...
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Is the pope the head of the Church for Catholics?

Who is the head of the Church for Catholics? Is it the Pope?
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Does the Catholic Church have a contingency plan for the case that the pope and all cardinals are dead?

Most modern democratic countries have a chain of command which can be triggered in case of disastrous events and is intended to ensure the continuity of the functioning of the country. This chain of ...
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How often has the Pope asked all Catholics to pray the Rosary?

In the history of the Catholic Church, I know there's been extra days of fasting and prayer called for by the Pope and Bishops, but other than prior to the Battle of Lepanto and today (March 19th 2020,...
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Why does the Pope not issue letters on the lines of Pastorals?

Catholic Bishops have been, from time to time, issuing a Pastoral Letter, often called simply a pastoral, which is an open letter addressed to the clergy and/or laity of a diocese, containing ...
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If the Pope were to commit suicide would he go to hell? [closed]

This question may sound rude but, if someone as holy as the pope were to commit suicide would he go to hell? Considering his devotion to god wouldn't he get some sort of pass? I think someone who ...
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Last married pope?

Catholics regard Peter as the first pope. In the gospel we learn that Peter's mother-in-law was healed, thus Peter was married. On the other hand, today the popes are never married and married men ...
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Are there any individuals who are claiming to be the pope that are not Pope Francis?

Are there any individuals who are claiming to be the pope that are not Pope Francis? I came across the Wikipedia link on the Palmarian Catholic Church and they claim to have their own Pope. And it ...
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According to Catholicism, does Matthew 16:18 justify that the Catholic Church is the one true church?

According to Catholicism, does Matthew 16:18 ("thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.") justify that the Catholic Church is the ...

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