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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
Has the position of pope lost power over the centuries is the popes power dwindling?
The question is an intriguing one. What sort of power are we asking about? There is direct political power - the power to make and execute laws and compel compliance under penalty of punishment - and then there is also moral influence - "the bully pulpit", whereby even one without perhaps much direct political power may nevertheless possess world-class prestige, connections, and access to the most powerful people in the land, in the world, even. Thus, they are able to speak about certain matters to the right people, make their feelings known, frame a discussion, raise a question, get their message out, call attention to certain things, and get a response far above and beyond what even many political office holders could ever hope to achieve. Although indirect, this is a form of power which, if expertly wielded, may be as formidable in its own way as the other kind. The Roman Pontiff no longer holds territories or commands armies as he once did over the four million square miles of Renaissance Europe. Instead, today, he speaks to the hearts and consciences of over one billion Catholics living all over the globe, and is listened to by hundreds of millions more Christians and non-Christians alike. He influences them directly, through his encyclicals and other apostolic messages, and he influences them, too, by his selection and appointment of bishops and archbishops who, in turn, serve as shepherds of souls throughout the world. I suppose, when power is defined in the latter sense, it may be said that the Pope's today is more wide-ranging than it has ever been in the past.
Why should I call a priest or pope father?
I can see why you would be confused, as Christ said "Call no man father." However, if this were meant to be taken literally, we would not be able to call our own fathers by the term "father." Priests and the pope are spiritual fathers to the people. I am adding a link that should also help to clear things up.
How did Saint Gregory the Great die?
Gregory the Great died on March 12, 604, at Rome, Italy of natural causes.
Where was Pope John XXIII's place of ministry?
As pope, he reigned from the Vatican. Prior to being elected as pope he was the Patriarch of Venice in Italy.
What are the reasons for not doing an autopsy on the pope?
Autopsies are not prohibited but permission of the Curia must be obtained. An autopsy would only be performed if there was no obvious cause of death.
How long was Pope John I the pope in 1978?
He was pope from August 26, 1978, until September 28, 1978, - 33 days.
What are the popes police called?
"Papal Swiss Guard are the personal protectors of the Pope. They are a military organization and not a police force although some members do serve as a sort of secret service during public events.
Vatican City is patrolled by the Corpo della Gendarmeria of the Vatican City State which performs the regular police duties.
Are there Catholic churches that don't follow the pope?
There are none. If they do not recognize the pope as the leader of the Church, they are not true Catholics despite what they might call themselves.
What country were the Borgias from and how did they become popes?
Rodrigo Borgia became Alexander VI, by buying off all other candidates for the job.
They were of Italian and Spanish origin. They produced two popes during this period, Alfons de Borja who ruled as Pope Calixtus III during 1455-1458, and Rodrigo Lanzol Borgia, as Pope Alexander VI, during 1492-1503. They have been accused of many different crimes, including adultery, simony, theft, rape, bribery, incest, and murder (especially murder by arsenic poisoning).
Which pope fathered several children?
Pope Alexander VI - Roderic Llançol i de Borja (Rodrigo Borgia) fathered a number of children.
What color smoke burns if a new pope is NOT elected?
Black smoke issues from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel if a ballot fails to elect a new pope.
What does a cane symbolizes carried by the pope in the mass?
- The crozier represents a shepherd's staff and his used by all bishops who are considered shepherds of their religious flocks.
Why was King Henry VIII at odds with the pope?
King Henry VIII was at odds with the pope because he wanted to get a divorce.
This caused King Henry VIII to form the Church of England. This church was just like the Catholic Church, except the king of England was at its head, not the pope, and King Henry VIII could get divorced. A lot.
What methods were used by the pope to enforce catholic principles during the renassaince?
They used Concordats, Inquisition, and index.
The pope is responsible for the Roman Catholic church.
Did the pope ban the pronunciation Yahweh in 2008?
The word YHWH which we pronounce Yahweh was removed from all Catholic liturgy and hymns out of respect for an ancient Jewish tradition that the name never be spoken. YHWH is not pronounceable.
When was the word 'Pope' first used?
It was first used in the early 3rd century as a term to refer to all bishops. The title began to be used for the Bishop of Rome in the 6th century.
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Catholic AnswerThe word "Pope" has been around for a long time, it means Papa in Greek and Italian (or Latin), but has been used exclusively for the Bishop of Rome (in the west) since the 11th century.from A Catholic Dictionary, edited by Donald Attwater, Second edition, revised 1957
Pope (from the Greek for father). i. Title. Since the 11th century this has been the distinguishing title of the bishop of Rome as the supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church, and is used of no one else in the West; the first known example of this use is in the writings of St. Ennodius (d. 521). The title is complete in itself, without the addition of the words "of Rome"; the pope signs himself Pius Papa XII. In the East, it is a title of the Orthodox patriarch of Alexandria and is the name for all Greek-speaking priests; but to use it for a Russian, Rumanian, or Serbian priest (pop), though common, is considered wanting in respect. An Italo-Greek priest also is papà s. The pope's full designation is: Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, and Sovereign of the State of the City of the Vatican.
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)
