Have any popes been Jewish

Answer 1

The pope is a title given to the bishop of Rome, although at certain times in the Middle Ages he did not actually reside in Rome. The Catholic Church teaches that the apostle Peter visited Rome in the middle of the first century, and led the church of Rome, and thus became the first pope. Depending on the truth of this tradition, Peter, who was a Jew, was also a pope.

However, Francis A. Sullivan SJ (From Apostles to Bishops) says that the Catholic position remains far from easy to establish. This is an acknowledgement that even if Peter did visit Rome, he does not appear to have led the church there, nor appointed a bishop to succeed him. Sullivan says that most scholars are of the opinion that, in spite of Church tradition, the church of Rome was led by a group of presbyters, and that bishops were not appointed to the church in Rome until around the middle of the second century. This makes it unlikely that Peter was ever really the bishop of Rome, although he might have led the Christian Church in Jerusalem or elsewhere.

For more information, please visit: http://christianity.answers.com/catholicism/a-brief-history-of-the-early-popes

Answer 2

no! the pope was a member of the Hitler youth when he was in his early teens, but seeing as there was a good chance he and his family would be punished severely if he wasn't a member, it is generally accepted that he never had nazi sympathies. his Holiness is definitely not Jewish, from the age of five he wanted to be a cardinal, mainly for the reason that he loved the robes they wear!

Answer 3

There is a narrative of uncertain authenticity that you may wish to take a look at. Its historicity remains in question: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_pope_Andreas

Answer 4

Popes are chosen from the among the Cardinals of the Catholic Church. To be a Cardinal, one must previously be a Bishop. To be a bishop, one must previously have been a priest, before that a deacon. To be ordained to the deaconate, one must be a male Catholic at least 25 years of age. Thus to even be considered for the position, one must be Catholic.

But certainly the man chosen for the papacy could be ethnically Jewish, most, if not all of the Popes from the first century or so of the Church started out as Jews.

Answer 5

No. Pope John Paul II was Catholic, and head of the Catholic Church during his tenure as Pope.

Answer 6

No, Pope Benedict XVI is a German Catholic, the only Popes who were Jews were the Popes from the first and early second centuries who were converts from Judaism, such as St. Peter.

Answer 7

Yes, St. Peter, the first pope, was originally Jewish.

Answer 8

An unconfirmed account:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_pope_Andreas

Answer 9

Other than Saint Peter, I'm not aware of any. Obviously, Saint Peter was actually a Christian at this point, he converted from Judaism when he decided to become a follower of Jesus Christ.

Answer 10

No, the pope is Catholic, not Jewish.