What does infallibility mean when referring to the Roman Catholic Pope?

Answer 1

Catholic AnswerRoman is an epithet first commonly used in England after the protestant revolt to describe the Catholic Church. It is rarely used by the Catholic Church. You can refer to the "Roman Pontiff" meaning the Pope in Rome, but you shouldn't refer to the "Roman" Catholic Church, just the Catholic Church.

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Infallibility is quite limited, it is freedom from error in teaching the universal Church in matters of faith or morals. As defined by the First Vatican Council:The Roman Pontiff, when he speaks ex cathedra-that is, when in discharge of the office of pastor and teacher of all Christians, by virtue of his supreme apostolic authority, de defines a doctrine regarding faith or morals to be held by the universal Church, by the divine assistance promised to him in Blessed Peter, is possessed of that infallibility with which the divine Redeemer willed that his Church should be endowed in defining doctrine regarding faith or morals; and therefore such definitions are irreformable of themselves, and not in virtue of consent of the Church" (Denzinger 3074).

from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994

891 "The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful - who confirms his brethren in the faith - he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals . . . The infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops, when, together with Peter's successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium," above all in an Ecumenical Council. (Lumen Gentium 25; cf. Vatican Council I: Denzinger-Schönmetzer, Enchiridion Symbolorum, definitionum et declarationum de rebus fidei et morum {1965} 3074) When the Church through its supreme Magisterium proposes a doctrine "for belief as being divinely revealed," (Dei Verbum 10 § 2) and as the teaching of Christ, the definitions "must be adhered to with the obedience of faith." (Lumen Gentium 25 § 2) This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself. (Cf. Lumen Gentium 25)