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The pope is only infallible when speaking ex cathedra(from the chair) and only in matters of faith and morals and only after years of study and consultation with all the bishops. It has only been invoked twice in recent centuries - the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary and the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. However, when a pope declares a person to be a saint it is also considered infallible.


Catholics believe the pope to be infallible when speaking ex cathedra on matters of faith and morals. This is based on the decision of the First Vatican Council, in 1870, documented in Pastor Aeternalis, chapter 6:
9. Therefore, faithfully adhering to the tradition received from the beginning of the christian faith, to the glory of God our savior, for the exaltation of the Catholic religion and for the salvation of the christian people, with the approval of the Sacred Council, we teach and define as a divinely revealed dogma that when the Roman Pontiff speaks EX CATHEDRA, that is, when, in the exercise of his office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, in virtue of his supreme apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church, he possesses, by the divine assistance promised to him in blessed Peter, that infallibility which the divine Redeemer willed his Church to enjoy in defining doctrine concerning faith or morals. Therefore, such definitions of the Roman Pontiff are of themselves, and not by the consent of the Church, irreformable. [My emphasis in bold]

Bishop Geoffrey Robinson (Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church) asks how a council can infallibly declare the infallibility of the pope unless we assume in advance that the council was itself infallible. In the absence of infallibility on the part of the First Vatican Council, the pronouncement inPastor Aeternalis is no more than an opinion.
In the same document, the council appears to have limited that infallibility, by limiting the pope to jealously guarding and explaining what was handed down through the apostles, and not the ability to disclose a new doctrine by revelation (chapter 4):
6. For the Holy Spirit was promised to the successors of Peter not so that they might, by his revelation, make known some new doctrine, but that, by his assistance, they might religiously guard and faithfully expound the revelation or deposit of faith transmitted by the apostles.

The council may not have intended to have one clause limit the other in this way. The pope's pronouncement on the Assumption of the virgin Mary was certainly not handed down through the apostles, so even if the pope is indeed infallible on certain matters Robinson believes this clause means that the pope was assuming an infallibility he did not have in this case.

The consequence is that (i) there is reasonable doubt whether Catholics ought to hold the pope to be infallible; and (ii) there is further doubt as to whether the pope ought to be regarded as infallible when making pronouncements such as on the Assumption of Mary.

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Roman Catholic Church believed that the Pope is incapable of error?

This is actually an incorrect assertion. Catholics believe that the Pope is infallible when speaking Ex Cathedra, or From the Seat of Peter. This means that when the Pope is speaking as the Head of the Catholic Church on Catholic Doctrine then the Pope is infallible. For example if the Pope were to say tomorrow that the sky is purple, this would not count as Ex Cathedra and would not be infallible. The idea comes from the belief that the Pope is chosen by the Holy Spirit as St. Peter's successor.


What do Roman Catholics mean when they say the pope is infallible?

This means that the Pope, when creating a teaching of the Catholic Church, can never be wrong. This only applys when the pope speaks ex cathedra and only on matters of faith and morals.


Is a pope infallible in retirement?

No, he would then be Pope Emeritus and not pope.


Will the pope still be infallible after his resignation?

No, Benedict XVI is no longer the reigning pope so is not considered as infallible.


What are characteristics of Catholics?

Catholics follow Church tradition and the scripture, although they do not interpret the scripture literally, and attempt to live as Jesus did. They accept the Pope as leader of the Church and believe him to be infallible. Catholics worship an all powerful God in the form of the Holy Trinity--God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit--and go to church every Sunday and on holy days.


Is the Pope infallible and therefore an equal to Jesus?

The Pope is only infallible when he speaks ex cathedra on matters of faith and morals.


Is the pope is the best person to decide what christians believe?

The pope is the best person to believe what the 'Catholics' should believe but not necessarily what ALL christians should believe. It really is a matter of personal opinion. The Pope acts as a connection between all Catholics/Christians on earth and to help them to lead a good and fulfilled life so he knows what he is talking about.


Who is infallible when teaching solemnly and officially on faith or morals?

The Pope is said to be infallible in these circumstances.


Do Catholics think the pope is as important as Jesus?

Catholics, being Christian believe that Jesus Christ is The Most Important. The pope is the successor of Peter, who Jesus Christ made head of his church.


What is a belief that is consistent with catholicism?

That the Pope is infallible.


Why was JFK's religion a campaign issue?

It was an issue because Kennedy was a Roman Catholic - no president before or since was a Catholic. Catholics believe that the Pope in Rome is God's special voice on earth and infallible on religious matters. Non-Catholics were afraid the the Pope would therefore have a great influence on Kennedy's decisions. There is also a long-standing conflict between Protestants and Catholics which goes back to religious wars and persecutions in England and Ireland which the ancestors of many Americans came to this country to escape.


How do you use infallibility in a sentence?

The Pope's observations, when delivered ex cathedra, are considered to have infallibility, that is the impossibility of error.The child was infallible after his poor grade on the test.