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Popes
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and is leader of the worldwide Catholic Church. The Pope is also head of state of the Vatican City, a sovereign city-state entirely enclaved by Rome.
2,799 Questions
What year did the Catholic Church come into existence?
The origins of the Church are generally suggested to go back to the Apostle Peter - so the first century AD.
The Roman Catholic Church in its current form is generally suggested to have been formed at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD by the Emperor Constantine.
There is a lot of debate around both of these statements.
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Catholic AnswerOur Blessed Lord established His Church when He was dying on the cross. The Church was born from the blood and water that flowed from His Side when he was pierced with a lance. The blood is the symbol of the Most Holy Eucharist, and the water represents baptism. Then, after the Ascension, He sent the Holy Spirit on the infant Church to guide and lead it. The word, "Catholic" means universal and we have no written proof of when they first starting using it, but we have documents from right at the end of the first century/beginning of the second. The Church has continued since than, and will do so until the end of time, for that we have the solemn promise of Our Blessed Lord. Suggestions that the Church came into existence with Constantine are ridiculous. All the emperor did was to make Christianity legal and end the horrendous abuses and killings under previous emperors.How many popes do you have after Saint Peter?
As of the end of 2012, there have been 266 popes, so there have been 265 after Saint Peter.
1.St. Peter (32-67)
2.St. Linus (67-76)
3.St. Anacletus (Cletus) (76-88)
4.St. Clement I (88-97)
5.St. Evaristus (97-105)
6.St. Alexander I (105-115)
7.St. Sixtus I (115-125) Also called Xystus I
8.St. Telesphorus (125-136)
9.St. Hyginus (136-140)
10.St. Pius I (140-155)
11.St. Anicetus (155-166)
12.St. Soter (166-175)
13.St. Eleutherius (175-189)
14.St. Victor I (189-199)
15.St. Zephyrinus (199-217)
16.St. Callistus I (217-22) Callistus and the following three popes were opposed by St. Hippolytus, antipope (217-236)
17.St. Urban I (222-30)
18.St. Pontain (230-35)
19.St. Anterus (235-36)
20.St. Fabian (236-50)
21.St. Cornelius (251-53) Opposed by Novatian, antipope (251)
22.St. Lucius I (253-54)
23.St. Stephen I (254-257)
24.St. Sixtus II (257-258)
25.St. Dionysius (260-268)
26.St. Felix I (269-274)
27.St. Eutychian (275-283)
28.St. Caius (283-296) Also called Gaius
29.St. Marcellinus (296-304)
30.St. Marcellus I (308-309)
31.St. Eusebius (309 or 310)
32.St. Miltiades (311-14)
33.St. Sylvester I (314-35)
34.St. Marcus (336)
35.St. Julius I (337-52)
36.Liberius (352-66) Opposed by Felix II, antipope (355-365)
37.St. Damasus I (366-83) Opposed by Ursicinus, antipope (366-367)
38.St. Siricius (384-99)
39.St. Anastasius I (399-401)
40.St. Innocent I (401-17)
41.St. Zosimus (417-18)
42.St. Boniface I (418-22) Opposed by Eulalius, antipope (418-419)
43.St. Celestine I (422-32)
44.St. Sixtus III (432-40)
45.St. Leo I (the Great) (440-61)
46.St. Hilarius (461-68)
47.St. Simplicius (468-83)
48.St. Felix III (II) (483-92)
49.St. Gelasius I (492-96)
50.Anastasius II (496-98)
51.St. Symmachus (498-514) Opposed by Laurentius, antipope (498-501)
52.St. Hormisdas (514-23)
53.St. John I (523-26)
54.St. Felix IV (III) (526-30)
55.Boniface II (530-32) Opposed by Dioscorus, antipope (530)
56.John II (533-35)
57.St. Agapetus I (535-36) Also called Agapitus I
58.St. Silverius (536-37)
59.Vigilius (537-55)
60.Pelagius I (556-61)
61.John III (561-74)
62.Benedict I (575-79)
63.Pelagius II (579-90)
64.St. Gregory I (the Great) (590-604)
65.Sabinian (604-606)
66.Boniface III (607)
67.St. Boniface IV (608-15)
68.St. Deusdedit (Adeodatus I) (615-18)
69.Boniface V (619-25)
70.Honorius I (625-38)
71.Severinus (640)
72.John IV (640-42)
73.Theodore I (642-49)
74.St. Martin I (649-55)
75.St. Eugene I (655-57)
76.St. Vitalian (657-72)
77.Adeodatus (II) (672-76)
78.Donus (676-78)
79.St. Agatho (678-81)
80.St. Leo II (682-83)
81.St. Benedict II (684-85)
82.John V (685-86)
83.Conon (686-87)
84.St. Sergius I (687-701) Opposed by Theodore and Paschal, antipopes (687)
85.John VI (701-05)
86.John VII (705-07)
87.Sisinnius (708)
88.Constantine (708-15)
89.St. Gregory II (715-31)
90.St. Gregory III (731-41)
91.St. Zachary (741-52)
92.Stephen II (752) Because he died before being consecrated, many authoritative lists omit him
93.Stephen III (752-57)
94.St. Paul I (757-67)
95.Stephen IV (767-72) Opposed by Constantine II (767) and Philip (768), antipopes (767)
96.Adrian I (772-95)
97.St. Leo III (795-816)
98.Stephen V (816-17)
99.St. Paschal I (817-24)
100.Eugene II (824-27)
101.Valentine (827)
102.Gregory IV (827-44)
103.Sergius II (844-47) Opposed by John, antipope (855)
104.St. Leo IV (847-55)
105.Benedict III (855-58) Opposed by Anastasius, antipope (855)
106.St. Nicholas I (the Great) (858-67)
107.Adrian II (867-72)
108.John VIII (872-82)
109.Marinus I (882-84)
110.St. Adrian III (884-85)
111.Stephen VI (885-91)
112.Formosus (891-96)
113.Boniface VI (896)
114.Stephen VII (896-97)
115.Romanus (897)
116.Theodore II (897)
117.John IX (898-900)
118.Benedict IV (900-03)
119.Leo V (903) Opposed by Christopher, antipope (903-904)
120.Sergius III (904-11)
121.Anastasius III (911-13)
122.Lando (913-14)
123.John X (914-28)
124.Leo VI (928)
125.Stephen VIII (929-31)
126.John XI (931-35)
127.Leo VII (936-39)
128.Stephen IX (939-42)
129.Marinus II (942-46)
130.Agapetus II (946-55)
131.John XII (955-63)
132.Leo VIII (963-64)
133.Benedict V (964)
134.John XIII (965-72)
135.Benedict VI (973-74)
136.Benedict VII (974-83) Benedict and John XIV were opposed by Boniface VII, antipope (974; 984-985)
137.John XIV (983-84)
138.John XV (985-96)
139.Gregory V (996-99) Opposed by John XVI, antipope (997-998)
140.Sylvester II (999-1003)
141.John XVII (1003)
142.John XVIII (1003-09)
143.Sergius IV (1009-12)
144.Benedict VIII (1012-24) Opposed by Gregory, antipope (1012)
145.John XIX (1024-32)
146.Benedict IX (1032-45) He appears on this list three separate times, because he was twice deposed and restored
147.Sylvester III (1045) Considered by some to be an antipope
148.Benedict IX (1045)
149.Gregory VI (1045-46)
150.Clement II (1046-47)
151.Benedict IX (1047-48)
152.Damasus II (1048)
153.St. Leo IX (1049-54)
154.Victor II (1055-57)
155.Stephen X (1057-58)
156.Nicholas II (1058-61) Opposed by Benedict X, antipope (1058)
157.Alexander II (1061-73) Opposed by Honorius II, antipope (1061-1072)
158.St. Gregory VII (1073-85) Gregory and the following three popes were opposed by Guibert ("Clement III"), antipope (1080-1100)
159.Blessed Victor III (1086-87)
160.Blessed Urban II (1088-99)
161.Paschal II (1099-1118) Opposed by Theodoric (1100), Aleric (1102) and Maginulf ("Sylvester IV", 1105-1111), antipopes (1100)
162.Gelasius II (1118-19) Opposed by Burdin ("Gregory VIII"), antipope (1118)
163.Callistus II (1119-24)
164.Honorius II (1124-30) Opposed by Celestine II, antipope (1124)
165.Innocent II (1130-43) Opposed by Anacletus II (1130-1138) and Gregory Conti ("Victor IV") (1138), antipopes (1138)
166.Celestine II (1143-44)
167.Lucius II (1144-45)
168.Blessed Eugene III (1145-53)
169.Anastasius IV (1153-54)
170.Adrian IV (1154-59)
171.Alexander III (1159-81) Opposed by Octavius ("Victor IV") (1159-1164), Pascal III (1165-1168), Callistus III (1168-1177) and Innocent III (1178-1180), antipopes
172.Lucius III (1181-85)
173.Urban III (1185-87)
174.Gregory VIII (1187)
175.Clement III (1187-91)
176.Celestine III (1191-98)
177.Innocent III (1198-1216)
178.Honorius III (1216-27)
179.Gregory IX (1227-41)
180.Celestine IV (1241)
181.Innocent IV (1243-54)
182.Alexander IV (1254-61)
183.Urban IV (1261-64)
184.Clement IV (1265-68)
185.Blessed Gregory X (1271-76)
186.Blessed Innocent V (1276)
187.Adrian V (1276)
188.John XXI (1276-77)
189.Nicholas III (1277-80)
190.Martin IV (1281-85)
191.Honorius IV (1285-87)
192.Nicholas IV (1288-92)
193.St. Celestine V (1294)
194.Boniface VIII (1294-1303)
195.Blessed Benedict XI (1303-04)
196.Clement V (1305-14)
197.John XXII (1316-34) Opposed by Nicholas V, antipope (1328-1330)
198.Benedict XII (1334-42)
199.Clement VI (1342-52)
200.Innocent VI (1352-62)
201.Blessed Urban V (1362-70)
202.Gregory XI (1370-78)
203.Urban VI (1378-89) Opposed by Robert of Geneva ("Clement VII"), antipope (1378-1394)
204.Boniface IX (1389-1404) Opposed by Robert of Geneva ("Clement VII") (1378-1394), Pedro de Luna ("Benedict XIII") (1394-1417) and Baldassare Cossa ("John XXIII") (1400-1415), antipopes
205.Innocent VII (1404-06) Opposed by Pedro de Luna ("Benedict XIII") (1394-1417) and Baldassare Cossa ("John XXIII") (1400-1415), antipopes
206.Gregory XII (1406-15) Opposed by Pedro de Luna ("Benedict XIII") (1394-1417), Baldassare Cossa ("John XXIII") (1400-1415), and Pietro Philarghi ("Alexander V") (1409-1410), antipopes
207.Martin V (1417-31)
208.Eugene IV (1431-47) Opposed by Amadeus of Savoy ("Felix V"), antipope (1439-1449)
209.Nicholas V (1447-55)
210.Callistus III (1455-58)
211.Pius II (1458-64)
212.Paul II (1464-71)
213.Sixtus IV (1471-84)
214.Innocent VIII (1484-92)
215.Alexander VI (1492-1503)
216.Pius III (1503)
217.Julius II (1503-13)
218.Leo X (1513-21)
219.Adrian VI (1522-23)
220.Clement VII (1523-34)
221.Paul III (1534-49)
222.Julius III (1550-55)
223.Marcellus II (1555)
224.Paul IV (1555-59)
225.Pius IV (1559-65)
226.St. Pius V (1566-72)
227.Gregory XIII (1572-85)
228.Sixtus V (1585-90)
229.Urban VII (1590)
230.Gregory XIV (1590-91)
231.Innocent IX (1591)
232.Clement VIII (1592-1605)
233.Leo XI (1605)
234.Paul V (1605-21)
235.Gregory XV (1621-23)
236.Urban VIII (1623-44)
237.Innocent X (1644-55)
238.Alexander VII (1655-67)
239.Clement IX (1667-69)
240.Clement X (1670-76)
241.Blessed Innocent XI (1676-89)
242.Alexander VIII (1689-91)
243.Innocent XII (1691-1700)
244.Clement XI (1700-21)
245.Innocent XIII (1721-24)
246.Benedict XIII (1724-30)
247.Clement XII (1730-40)
248.Benedict XIV (1740-58)
249.Clement XIII (1758-69)
250.Clement XIV (1769-74)
251.Pius VI (1775-99)
252.Pius VII (1800-23)
253.Leo XII (1823-29)
254.Pius VIII (1829-30)
255.Gregory XVI (1831-46)
256.Blessed Pius IX (1846-78)
257.Leo XIII (1878-1903)
258.St. Pius X (1903-14)
259.Benedict XV (1914-22)
260.Pius XI (1922-39)
261.Pius XII (1939-58)
262.Blessed John XXIII (1958-63)
263.Paul VI (1963-78)
264.John Paul I (1978)
265.John Paul II (1978-2005)
266.Benedict XVI (2005-)
Why did the pope choose the name Luke?
There has never been a Pope Luke.
Improved:
That, or that he just wanted the name Luke. Maybe he thought it was special, maybe it had a meaning for him, but he chose it maybe because there hasn't been a Pope Luke, but there are many names that haven't been by a Pope, so it wasn't just that that made him choose it. Maybe it had a special meaning to him? Nobody will know exactly, just him.
However, it was also said that Luke was a Physician which falls under the realm of Science. And so he chose that to bridge Religion and Science. A way to show they can co-exist.
Is the Old Catholic Church recognized by the pope?
Unsure of what you mean by accepted.
The Old Catholic Orthodox Church is NOT in communion with the Vatican and is not part of the Catholic Church (Under the authority of the Pope).
REPLY
As far as I know The Old Catholic Orthodox Church does not needs to be accepted andor aproved by the Roman Catholic Church.
God(Previous answer from some Catholic)
Updated Answer(From an agnodiestic):
The idea of Christianity has been around long before it was even a 'legal' religion. It was a very small and illegal religion until Constantine legalized it with the Edict of Milan in 313 A.D. His idea was that Christianity could help unify Rome, because at the time it was suffering from great turmoil and divide. Constantine didn't fully embrace the Christian faith though, so the Christianity that he allowed to live on, and that you see in the Roman Catholic Church today is one of compromise between Constantine's Roman Paganism and the original Christianity.
Who was the first pope and who chose him to be the leader of the apostles?
Peter was appointed as the first leader of the Church when Our Lord said:
And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to 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 to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. (Matthew Chapt. 16)
Peter assumed the position upon the Ascension of Our Lord into heaven. The term 'pope' did not come into usage until many years later but Peter was still considered a pope even though the establishment of the office of pope and hierarchy was yet to come. All the apostles, even Paul, deferred to Peter for important decisions.
One thing needs to be pointed out here. Our Lord and Peter were speaking in Aramaic and not Greek. In Aramaic there was but one word for 'rock' and that is cephas. There is no confusion in usage as in Greek depending upon the size of the 'rock' which is an argument that many non-Catholics seem to ignore. The confusion in vocabulary arose years later when the gospel was translated to Greek.
And, yes, Peter did reside, at least for a time, in Rome and died there under orders from Roman Emperor Nero. Francis A. Sullivan SJ in his book From Apostles to Bishops states unequivocally that Peter was in Rome and died there. His statement is based on both scripture as well as the writings of early Church fathers.
Peter would have assumed leadership about the year AD33 and he died sometime between AD64 and AD67.
Which council was begun in 1869 by Pope Pius lX?
The First Vatican Council was convoked by Pope Pius IX on June 29, 1868, and opened on December 8, 1869, by Pope Pius IX.
Is Pope Benedict head of the Catholic Church?
Pope Benedict is head of the Catholic Church. However he is also head of all of the other Rites/Churches which are in Union with Rome (The Uniates). So he is head of the following "Churches":
Armenian Catholic Church
Byzantine Catholic Church
Chaldean Catholic Church (East Syrian)
Coptic Catholic Church
Ethiopian Catholic Church
Maronite Church
Melkite Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
Romanian Catholic Church
Russian Catholic Church
Ruthenian Catholic Church
Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
Ukrania Catholic Church
West Syrian Catholic Church
Each of these have different "Rites" or ceremonies which are carried out. And they are all under their own separate patriarch(s). The pope is both head and patriarch of the Roman Catholic Church or the Western Rite.
For a list of "Who's Who" and who isn't in union with Rome etc read this:
http://www.archdiocesesantafe.org/Offices/Ecumenical/ChurchList.pdf
Whomever is chosen by the Holy Ghost and elected through the College of Cardinals.
Only God can answer that question and he is not talking.
When a new pope needs to be elected, the College of Cardinals convenes in the Vatican to elect the new pope. Voting is done by ballot, and a candidate must receive two-thirds of all votes to be elected.
Trying to predict the next pope is a tricky business. For example, few predicted that Karol Wojtyla would become John Paul II. There are at least 20 possible candidates to succeed Benedict.
Who was pope during the rebuilding of St. Peter's?
Michelangelo contributed to most of the design for the St. Peters basilica, although the old St. Peters basilica was created during Constantine's power. After many designs that where presented including Bramantes and Raphael, it was Michelangelo's design that we view today.
from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980
Pope, Authority of the. Although elected by the college of cardinals, the pope's authority is not derived from them, but is given to God directly. He exercises it de iure divino (by divine right) as successor of St. Peter. He is infallible in teaching, and he has full and supremem power of jurisdiction over the whole Church, and directly and immediately over every Catholic, and all this in virtue of his office and permanently
from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994
880 When Christ instituted the Twelve, "he constituted [them] in the form of a college or permanent assembly, a the head of which he placed Peter, chosen from among them." (Lumen gentium 19; cf Lk 6:13; Jn 21:15-17) Just as "by the Lord's institution, St. Peter and the rest of the apostles constitute a single apostolic college, so in like fashion the Roman Pontiff, Peter's successor, and the bishops, the successors of the apostles, are related with and united to one another." (Lumen gentium 22; cf. Codex Iuris Canonici, can 330.)
881 The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock. (Cf. Mt 16:18-10; Jn 21:15-17.) "The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of apostles united to its head." (Lumen gentium 22 section 2) This pastoral office of Peter and the other apostles belongs to the Church's very foundation and is continued by the bishops under the primacy of the Pope.
882 The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor, "is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful." (Lumen gentium 23) For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered. (Lumen gentium 22; cf. Christus Dominus 2, 9.)
Why do Roman Catholics follow the pope?
At first the Christians were not organized into any official structure, though it was immediately obvious that there was an accepted line of authority. Since these men all preached against following the customs of men, it is clear that the idea of an authoritarian Church had to have been a direct teaching of Christ. This is borne out in Gospel passages. Whenever Christ was conferring authority, He did so only to the Apostles, never to the crowds or to the general public. The recognized leaders were the Apostles, and the congregations of each locality had local leaders, called "elders", "presbyters", or "pastor/teachers". These leaders were not self-appointed, nor were they selected by the local members of their areas. The Apostles, as shown in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, had to approve of and lay hands on these local presbyters---that is, they had to pass on the authority Christ granted them. This is today called Apostolic Succession.
Christians were persecuted by civil authorities because they would not recognize Caesar as divine. They met, often secretly, and corresponded with each other. The pastoral letters all speak loudly of the authority of the Apostles. The instructions of these letters are not suggestions; they are binding, to the point that excommunication is recommended as the final correction for anyone who refuses to obey.
For one special question, the Apostles and the rest of the church met together in Jerusalem (Acts 15, 1-35). In this meeting, the authority of the Church is again apparent. The council settled, authoritatively, a key point of the faith: that the message of God extended also to the Gentiles. In other words, the faith is catholic, universal. The results of the decision were sent out via Judas Barsabbas and Silas. This practice continues today in the issuance of encyclicals, bulls, and statements sent out to the Church by the Holy See.
Roman Catholics have known and demonstrated, since immediately after the Ascension of Christ, that the Apostle Peter was the first leader of the Church. Most Protestant Christians reject this fact and assert that Peter was an equal among many Apostles. However, the Book of the Acts of the Apostles shows, repeatedly, Peter clearly acting as the leader. There is no record that his position as leader was ever challenged by any of the other apostles, even though there was some discord as the fullness of the faith was wrestled with. For example, Peter was once corrected by the Apostle Paul.
As predicted by the Apostles, a variety of different ideas about Christ and about God were advanced by people claiming to be Christians. These doctrines had to be tested against the teachings of the Apostles; remember, there was not yet a written body of Christian texts. The Apostolic Tradition, those things taught orally by the Apostles, was to be the guide for Truth. This was in accordance with the directive Christ gave when he said, "Whoever hears you, hears Me." It was to the apostles (that is, the authoratative Church) that this statement was made. It was NOT made to the body of believers at large.
Teachings at variance with apostolic tradition were rejected as "heresies", that is, as false teachings. Only the truth as Christ passed it on to the Apostles is true. Eventually, in the 4th century, these apostolic traditions became the basis for the establishment of the Canon, that is, the collection of sacred writings Christians worldwide today call the Bible. The Church reviewed thousands of texts, measuring each against apostolic Tradition, and included only those which did not differ from those Traditions. The Christian Bible, whether used by Catholics or Protestants, is a Catholic text. It is interesting to note that, although the Catholic Church organized and established the canon of Scripture, there are many today who try to find within Scripture proof that the Church lacks authority or authenticity. Should that argument ever be found to be true, the Bible itself loses authority; if the Church that chose the canonical texts had no real authority to do so, then the canon itself must be seen as suspect. This is clearly not the case, for the Truth of Scripture has been borne out over the course of nearly 2000 years of human experience.
The keeping of the Traditions, which formed the early Church and led to the structure of the Bible, was, and remains, a central obligation of the Church. Even in today's secular world, when many people reject the fullness of the faith because it is inconvenient, or because individualism makes an authoritative Church seem outdated, the Church maintains that it is not within its power to change the Traditions as handed down by the Apostles.
Answer
It is believed by some (those who oppose the Papacy) that Peter had any successors. We see however in Acts that the first order of business was to fill the office of Judas. So we know that there was already a heiarchy established. We also know that there is documented, recorded history that shows the legacy of Jesus. If you want to know and understand why the Catholic Chuch teaches this or anyting else, I beg you to study and find out. Don't take peoples responses on these boards, research historical facts. Read the early Church fathers. There is a wealth of information out there and you must discern what is historical facts and what is someones opinion.
What was the name of a ninth century pope who was later canonized?
There are 5 popes from the 9th century who are saints:
St. Leo III
St. Paschal I
St. Leo IV
St. Nicholas I, the Great
St. Adrian III:
There are 5 popes from the 9th century who are saints:
St. Leo III
St. Paschal I
St. Leo IV
St. Nicholas I, the Great
St. Adrian III
What is the difference between the pope and the patriarch?
The Pope is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The Partriarchs are leaders of other Catholic faiths, such as Greek Rite, Russian Orthodox, Byzantine Rite, Coptic Rite and so forth. Some consider themselves subject to the Pope, and some do not.
Do popes choose names from a list?
No, they do not choose from a list. They may choose a name of a previous pope or choose a new name such as Pope John Paul I did.
Did Pope Leo XIII have children?
Another answer from our community:
Although there have been allegations that Pope Leo X was sexually active when pope, there is no proof and no record of any children he might have sired.
What do Popes do in Catholic Churches?
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ appointed Peter as his representative on Earth. This was the first Pope. All subsequent Popes are viewed by catholics as successor to Peter. The Pope is also referred to as the "Pontiff" or bridgekeeper [Pontifica in Latin]. In other words the Pope is the bridge between Man on Earth and Christ in Heaven.
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Catholic AnswerHe does many things, especially as Bishop of Rome, but more important, as pointed out in the answer above, is what he is - the Vicar of Christ on earth, and the visible head of His Church. If he did nothing else, that would be enough. When he speaks, he speaks as head of the Church and as Christ's Voice. When he blesses, he blesses with Christ's blessing, when he ordains, it is Christ who ordains. When we respect and obey him, we are respecting and obeying Him who he represents - Our Blessed Lord.What did Pope Leo IX and PGregory VII fight for?
Quite a lot, actually, both of these Popes fought vigorously for the Church and its rights, and its holiness. This is a quick answer site, check out the articles below for more on both of them:
What is the average age for a pope?
The average age at election of the 62 popes elected since 1400 is 62.4 years.
It's just the Catholic Church, not the Roman Catholic Church. Roman 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. There has been an unbroken line of 266 popes from St. Peter (first Pope appointed by Our Blessed Lord in Matthew 16: 17-19) to the current Francis (as of 2013), and 39 anti-popes (Men who claimed to be pope but were not validly elected). For the complete list, see the link below.
St. Alexander I (105-115AD) was the sixth pope.
Answer
Pope Sixtus I is traditionally recognised as the sixth pope, or bishop of Rome. The coincidence of the sixth pope being named Sixtus has raised the question of whether the name is fictitious, and may have led soon after to him being named in what are now some of the oldest documents as Xystus. In any case, Francis A. Sullivan SJ (From Apostles to Bishops) 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 later in the second century. In other words, there can have been no Pope Sixtus (or Xystus), although it is conceivable there was a presbyter of than name.
Based on what we now know, the first true, monepiscopal bishop of Rome was probably Pius I or Anicetus, meaning that Zephyrinus (199-217) or Callixtus I (217-222) might have been the sixth real bishop of Rome.
What does the Sacred Triduum consist of?
A Triduum is "A period of three days of prayer, either preceding some special feast or preparing for some major enterprise. [It] Commemorates the biblical three days that Christ lay in the tomb." (from Modern Catholic Dictionary by Fr. Hardon, S.J. In the Catholic Church it is used most frequently to refer to the Easter (or Sacred) Triduum, which is composed of the last three days of Holy Week, i.e.: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. The Easter Triduum ends with the lighting of the Easter fire at the beginning of the Easter Vigil after dark on Holy Saturday night.
What is the name of the crown of the pope?
There is an urban legend about a phrase written on the Papal Tiara (the crown), which some use to identify the mark of the antichrist. However there is not just one Tiara, there are about 20 in existence and none have inscriptions.
Why has no Pope ever taken the name of Peter?
Jesus Christ named Simon," Peter " which in Greek is petra meening petrafied or rock. Jesus Said I will build My church on the rock.I belive because Jesus named Simon" Peter" that the church respects that name only for the first Pope only.
