What is the proper relationship between a Pope and rulers from the Pope's point of view?

Answer 1

I have watched this question for a couple of days, and noticed that no one has responded. Honestly, a pope would have to answer that question. But I can quote Pope Paul VI, who has gone on record, when addressing the United Nations in 1965, said: �The peoples of the earth turn to the United Nations as the last hope of concord and peace; We presume to present here, together with Our own, their tribute of honor and of hope.�" Anyone professing to be Christian, however, needs to ask themselves,"what does The Bible say about the relationship between true Christians and world rulers?" While Jesus was on Earth, he did not have any part in political affairs. In fact, when the people wanted to sieze him to make him king, he refused to have any part of that. When Pontius Pilot asked Jesus about his kingdom, he answered that his (Jesus) kingdom was no part of this world. (John 18:36) In prayer to his father, Jesus said that his followers would be "no part of the world just as I am no part of the world." (John 17:16) Since Jesus, is no part of the world, which includes the political affairs of the world, then his true followers must likewise be no part of the world. In fact, James 4:4 says that "friendship with the world is enmity with God." Revelation Chapters 17 and 18 speaks of a harlot riding a scarlot-colored wild beast. This wild beast, specifically the heads and horns, are identified in Ch 17 as the kings of the Earth, that is, world governments or rulers. The harlot is riding that beast, in other words, trying to excercise control over it. The harlot has a name,"Babylon the Great." The ancient city of Babylon was a center of false worship. Many of today's religions get their ideas from ancient Babylonian teachings. Revelation 18:22 and 23 speak of musicians and the voice of a bride and of a bridegroom being found in her and also speaks of her spiritistic practices. Chapter 17:19 tells us that she is very wealthy. Doesn't this aptly describe most of the religions of the world? The harlot in Revelation is the world empire of false religions. She is spoken of as a "harlot" because from God's viewpoint she is committing spiritual fornication. What will be her outcome? Chapter 18 of Revelation tells of her swift and complete destruction, so verse 4 of chapter 18 tells all sincere ones to "get out of her." We must individually examine the facts carefully, and make the judgement for ourselves, whether or not a religion is truly remaining separate from the world and it's rulers.

AnswerIn support of the answer above see question "What is the impact of Christianity on politics"

Answer 2

In medieval times, the popes considered all secular rulers to be subordinate to themselves, although in practice the balance of power depended on the pope's personality and his ability to enforce his will.

Even Pope Pius IX, in his Syllabus of Errors, issued in 1864, condemned those who 'Contrary to the teachings of the holy Scriptures, of the Church, and of the Holy Fathers, these persons do not hesitate to assert, that "the best condition of human society is that wherein no duty is recognized by the Government of correcting, by enacted penalties, the violators of the Catholic Religion, except when the maintenance of the public peace requires it." ' Pius went on, to say it is a grave error to believe that favours granted by the Roman pontiff ought to be considered null unless they have been sought for through the civil government, or that the "immunity of the Church and of ecclesiastical persons" derived its origin from civil law. Pius also declared it an error to believe that when laws enacted by the two powers are in conflict, the civil law prevails. He believed Kings and princes are not exempt from the jurisdiction of the Church, nor are they superior to the Church in deciding questions of jurisdiction. Although Pope Pius thus held views quite contrary to the concept of democratic government and in favour of autocratic theocracy, he was unable to implement those views very widely.

Modern popes accept that national governments act independently of the Pope, even if the Church can sometimes influence decisions.