Popes

A:

If indeed St Peter ever went to Rome as the first bishop of Rome and therefore pope, we know little or nothing about what happened during his pontificate. Tradition does say that Peter was executed in Rome by Emperor Nero, having first appointed his successor Linus. The author of the epistle known as 1 Clement had only this to say about Peter: "There was Peter who by reason of unrighteous jealousy endured not one not one but many labours, and thus having borne his testimony went to his appointed place of glory." It appears that this Roman presbyter, writing just a few decades after the lifetime of Peter, was unaware that Peter ever went to Rome and became the first pope. Even the tradition that Peter appointed Linus as the next bishop of Rome has been challenged. Francis A. Sullivan SJ (From Apostles to Bishops) says that there is a general agreement among scholars that the church of Rome was led by a council of presbyters until well into the second century, with no evidence of a ruling bishop.

There may be much to learn from Saint Peter during his discipleship with Jesus, but nothing is known about his supposed life as pope.

Answer:

The authority of the Pope is limited to his followers, Roman Catholics. All other denominations and religions will have their own opinion of the value of his position on issues. In general we should listen to people that have good opinions or those who have a track record of being correct regardless of their title. Popes are people and their advice can range from good to bad. Listen to the good advice.

Catholic Answer The Catholic faith emanated from God from the beginning of time, and was established on earth definitively from the side of Christ on the cross when He side was pierced by a spear. Then it was shown to the world at Pentecost with the coming of the Holy Spirit. So, the event promoting the power for the Church and the Holy Father would be Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descending on the infant Church.

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

759 "The eternal Father, in accordance with the utterly gratuitous and mysterious design of his wisdom and goodness, created the whole universe and chose to raise up men to share his own divine life." (Lumen gentium 2) to which he calls all men in his Son. "The Father . . . determined to call together in a holy Church those who should believe in Christ." (Lumen gentium 2) This "family of God" is gradually formed and takes shape during the stages of human history, in keeping with the Father's plan. In fact, "already present in figure at the beginning of the world, this Church was prepared in marvelous fashion in the history of the people of Israel and the old Alliance. Established in this last age of the world and made manifest in the outpouring of the Spirit, it will be brought to glorious completion at the end of time. (Lumen gentium2)

766 The Church is born primarily of Christ's total self-giving for our salvation, anticipated in the institution of the Eucharist and fulfilled on the cross. "The origin and growth of the church are symbolized by the blood and water which flowed from the open side of Christ as he slept the sleep of death upon the cross that there came forth the 'wondrous sacrament of the whole Church.'" Sacrosanctum concilium 5) As Eve was formed from the sleeping Adam's side, so the church was born from the pierced heart of Christ hanging dead on the cross. (Cf. St. Ambrose, In Luc. 2, 85-89: J.P. Migne, ed., Patrologia Latina {Paris: 1841-1855} 15, 1666-1668)

767 "When the work which the Father gave the Son to do on earth was accomplished, the Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost in order that he might continually sanctify the Church." (Lumen gentium 4; cf. Jn 17:4) The "the Church was openly displayed to the crowds and the spread of the gospel among the nations, through preaching, was begun." (Ad gentes 4) As the "convocation" of all men for salvation, the Church in her very nature is missionary, sent by Christ to all the nations to make disciples of them. (Cf. Mt 28:19-20; Ad gentes 2; 5-6)