A not-rude question for Catholics...?

Question

I don't know how the first Pope came to be. I took a Christian History class a while ago, but I don't remember if we even discussed it. Also, how many Popes have there been? I really want to know. No rude answers, I'm just curious. Thanks!

I know they're separate. Catholics are Christians though - hence "Christian History".

So, if Peter was the first Pope, how did the term "Pope" come into play? Where does it come from?

Velvet - thanks a lot! Actually I do have some more questions. If you email me, I will give you my email so that I can ask you w/o taking up tons of space on here. Thanks again!

Answer 1

Pope Benedict the XVI makes the 266th Pope. Here are the names: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12272b.htm

The answer to how the first Pope came to be can be complex, if only because it is disagreed upon by those outside the Catholic Church.

As you will notice the first Pope on the list in the link above is St. Peter. This is Peter the Apostle from the Gospel and an author of epistles. I will provide a fuller link below, but here is the short of it. Peter was considered in Scripture to be the head Apostle since he appears more often, is on every listing of the Apostles first, and had many unique experiences with Christ. Namely, one is Matt 16 especially verse 18. This verse was not contested for over a thousand years until the Eastern Catholic Church broke away and no longer accepted the Papacy. The Catholic Church from the beginning interpreted the verse to mean Christ's Church would be built on Peter, whose name means Rock. Furthermore, it was only Peter who received the unique gifts of the keys which are spoken about in that chapter. There are a couple other instances unique to the position that Christ called Peter to, which are listed in this next link along with the unanimous agreement among the early Church Fathers which prove the authenticity of the history of the Pope as the Catholic Church describes it.
http://www.catholic.com/library/Origins_of_Peter_as_Pope.asp

Good question. Very heavily debated since those outside the Church are taught to be reactive to the very word 'Pope.' I encourage you to read some of the other articles detailing the Pope on that 2nd website. The first one is tougher to understand.

If you have any more questions please add some details to this post and I will try to return to it later if necessary.

Thanks and God Bless.

ps. I just saw your additional inquiries. Perhaps this will help you. It is comprehensive in a lot of ways. But is a great read. What I encourage is for you to understand just what the Catholic Church says about the Pope. You are always welcome to view the opposition's argument, but often enough there are people that do not learn about the Catholic Church from the Catholic Church. And they learn things that aren't true or are distortions to bolster an agenda. Good luck in your search.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12260a.htm

Answer 2

Actually, in the Bible Jesus appointed Peter as the first "pope" (although it obviously wasn't called that at the time) when he called Peter the rock upon which the faith shall be built. All successive popes have all been traced back to Peter.

The Rev: "Popes and Christianity are two seperate things" No actually they are the exact same thing. Catholicism is the first Christian faith from which all other Christians deviated when they couldn't hack it.

Marty: "How can the Popes be successors of Peter if they are celebate?" That's like asking how American presidents can be successors of one another if they're not all related. It's called an election and the papacy is the oldest continually elected office in the world.

Do people even attempt to educate themselves before openning their mouths?

Answer 3

I don't know your answer about how many.

Don't confuse what The Pope said, and what The Catholic Church is and isn't doing.


The Catholic Church has been accused of depending on works to get to heaven, however, scores of headlines several months ago where Pope John Paul II said the only way is through Jesus and His precious shed Blood, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Now, to do away with all suspicion about the Catholic Church Believing in works, the Pope signed an agreement with the Lutheran federation of the world admitting that Luther was Right.

It is justification by faith alone. Romans 1:17. Not by works. But then the Pope added, I want to just say I don't believe we are saved by works, but I believe that when we are saved, the works will manifest. That is what we teach. We are saved by grace in Ephesians 2:8. We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do the good works. Faith without works is dead James 2:20.

Answer 4

The first pope was Peter the Apostle. See Matthew, chapter 16. There have been over 250 popes, all in direct succession to Peter. I believe Benedict XVI is the 268th pope.

Answer 5

Peter was never a pope.

(Mat 16:18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

How can the Popes be successors of Peter if they are celebate? In the Greek, Peter means pebble, or piece of rock. Notice that in the verse, there is a comma making a break. The word "rock" comes from a different greek word that means mass of rock or cliff. There is a big difference between a pebble and a cliff. Jesus is the Rock that the church was built on.
(2Sa 22:2) And he said, The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
(Psa 18:31) For who [is] God save the LORD? or who [is] a rock save our God?

Answer 6

Peter was NOT a pope. He was an apostle! Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to my father except through me." Therefore, he wouldn't have made a position such as "Pope". It's a man made position.

At least, that's the way i see it.

Answer 7

Peter was the first Pope.

Matthew chapter 16 verses 18-19, Jesus speaking to the 12 apostles:

And I say to thee: That thou art Peter [Kipha, a rock], and upon this rock [Kipha] I will build my church [ekklesian], 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 on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven".

Jesus is not referring to Himself as a rock (wouldn't that sound funny?!)

Current Pope Benedict the XVI is #266 (there have been others in history who claimed to be pope, but this is the official Roman Catholic count).

Answer 8

I am not Catholic, but i knohiw that they claim that Peter was appointed Pope by Christ. they use this verse.


Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

i personal don't believe this is what he meant but that is what they say.



If you read the whole passage you will find it reads. i.e.: earlier Jesus refers to himself as the son of man.

13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

He is speaking of Jesus's Deity and not saying Peter is more important than any other man.

Answer 9

Popes and Christianity are two seperate things.

Answer 10

I think the disiple Peter was the first Pope and all have followed him.