How much power does the Pope really have?

Answer 1

None really except those he bestowed on himself.Mind you one that can change Gods law about the Sabbath must be powerful. And we all follow the beast by going to church on Sunday in stead of Saturday as the Lord God commanded.And the 2nd commandment about idols is not there anymore because Mary is an idol.And there cannot be such a commandment because if it was still on the books what else would he mislead the people with.OH and he wears a triple crown that represents the heaven earth and underneath. Must be powerful to be the ruler of all three levels.Yep! Shore is a strong one! Just wait till God gets hold of him for his blaspheming impostor life.

Answer 2

Not as much as many people (including some Catholics) think he does.

For one thing, he cannot change the Church's theological or moral doctrines. He is only the guardian of them.

What he can do (and what many Popes have done over the years) is change Church CUSTOMS -- such as eating (or not eating) meat on Fridays, or the Mysteries of the Rosary, and so on.

Also, the Pope is infallible (without error) only when teaching on a matter of faith or grave morals. And this is only when he issues a formal, well-researched statement; a blurted-out comment at lunch, or even during a sermon, doesn't count.

Lots of people think that we Catholics have to agree with everything the Pope says or does, which isn't true -- it depends on what it is.

For instance, John Paul II spoke out against the military intervention in Iraq -- but that doesn't mean that all Catholics have to agree with him. The Iraq war is a one-time historical event, and the charism of papal infallibility doesn't cover one-time historical events.

Answer 3

The Pope has LESS POWER than other people because of his unique gift. The Pope is held to be "infallible" when he speaks: 1) in a teaching capacity and 2) about faith (what we must believe to be saved) and morals (what we must practice to be saved).

However, this does not mean that everything he says is necessarily right, nor does it mean that particular actions he advocates are necessarily right. It is truly a negative gift! The Pope, when he is in the position to influence the faith and morals of his flock (all Christians), is actually PREVENTED by the Holy Spirit from teaching falsehood.

So, the Pope's infallibility means that he has LESS power than all other humans - because, in a specific situation, he does not have the power to be wrong.

Answer 4

Not so much now... past popes started The Crusades, I doubt the current pope has the power to assert that. =)

Answer 5

The pope has as much power as people choose to give to him. To me, he is just a man living life as all of us do.

Personally, I think the catholic religion's reverence of the pope is idolatry if not downright blasphemy. Bowing down and kissing a man's ring or the hem of his robes has nothing to do with the worship of God, but everything to do with the worship of a man.

Answer 6

He has the power to stop wars and stop world hunger because he is the "pope". But he doesent even though people worship him for no god damn reason

Answer 7

He definitly has a lot of White Magic and probably some Forest Magic too. I've never seen his deck though, so I'd have to check.

Answer 8

Look at the crowds of people that flock to see him.......that should answer your question.

If you're talking about a "higher power", that's a different story.

Answer 9

Among Catholics he is the top dog (among the living). As far as the rest of us, he has no power.

Answer 10

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.