Whats so special about the pope?

Question

if i sound offensive, im not , im just curious, it seems like millions look up to him like he's a GOD, he aint, what makes him so special

Answer 1

The Pope is a Christian Patriarch. He is representing all of Christianity as the shepard of the Lord Jesus. Jesus instructed the first pope Peter to "feed my sheep". The Western Church see him as apostolic successor to Peter and his authority is binding as Peter's was in the early church. The Eastern Church (Orthodox) view him a primary among equals when related to the other Patriarchs. The Jewish people, the people of the first covenant have patriarchs like Abraham and Moses, the Pope is a continuation of that spiritual fatherhood. Protestants don't accept it but still have it. He is only special because of the office he holds as God's vicar on earth. Non-catholics poke fun at the title and position yet they have their own popes, they just need to be honest to themselves and see the truth of it.

Stef is a bit def, abstinence is the only way of preventing Aids.
Everywhere in Africa where condoms are being pushed the percentage of people with Aids is in double digits and rising with the exception of Uganda which as chosen to implement a church support policy of ABC, 1. abstinence if one is single, fidelity to ones spouse if married, 3. and only as a last resort condom use. This policy of the government has helped to reduce the percentage of people with Aids to single digits.

Stef doesn't know what he/she is talking about, condoms don't prevent Aids.

Answer 2

Because there can be only one.

The patriarch of a church is the point man - kind of like the president - the guy everyone sees & thinks of as representing that church. All of the various flavours of catholic & orthodox churches had them (except for the Church of the East, founded by St. Thomas in 52 CE) The pope was the patriarch in Rome, the richest city in the world at that time. Money translated into political & religious clout for the church of the 4th century & the church of Rome grew more powerful than most others. When Rome collapsed, the Roman Church filled in what it could of the gap. Until the Protestant Reformation (1500s) the power of the pope was very great. The pope was taken as standing in St. Peter's place. (still is, if you are Roman Catholic)

That does not make him infallible in daily life, only when speaking "ex cathedra". No pope has spoken "ex cathedra" for over 50 years.

I hope that helps.

Peace on Earth, Goodwill to all!

;-)

Answer 3

He's a very famous person, he's a world leader (head of state of the Vatican), and he's the earthly leader of the largest religion in the world, so that makes a lot of people want to see him whenever he's in town.

We Cathoilcs never "look up to him like he's a god" because we know he isn't one.

He's special because he is the successor to Peter, the first Pope, who walked in the company of Jesus and who was commissioned by Him to be the Rock upon which the Church is built.

No Pope succeeds the one who occupied the office before him; every Pope directly succeeds Peter. That alone makes him a rather noteworthy guy.

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Answer 4

NOTHING in my opinion but im not a catholic so i guess i wouldnt understand that either... ? In a way i think most catholics are brainwashed because instead of confessing there sins and asking for forgivness from god by themselves they go through a priest ? Well no earthly creature is sinless so who does the priest repent his sins to a bishop or something ? What gives the priest the right to supposedly grant atonment for someone elses sin they are NOT god

Answer 5

He, of course, is only really special to the Catholic patrons. I am not Catholic, but do consider him "special" because he has served his religion well enough for others to consider him the current patriarch of the Catholic religion. He is human, and he will make mistakes. However, I probably would be honoured to be able to kiss his ring. I guess it goes with having respect for those who will commit their lives to the Lord, especially in this day and age.

Answer 6

Nothing. He's the Bishop of Rome, a Peer amongst Peers. However, as the successor of Peter, he holds the Keys to the Kingdoms of Heaven and Earth, as was granted to Peter by Jesus. Other than that... nothing much.

Answer 7

he gets to wear a hat nobody else can

seriously: from what i remembered when i took bible lessons, it was because the catholics believed that the pope has the authority of God behind him and any law/rules he make suppose to come from God. and since Catholicism has one of the biggest following in the world, it makes the pope pretty powerful. not to mention rich

Answer 8

I've heard that the catholics-that's catholics, not Christians, will take his word over scripture. He doesn't really mean a thing to those who aren't catholic. A lot of people think Christians follow him, but we don't. He's just a other un-needed priest.

Answer 9

That's billions. And while he's not God, he IS the Vicar of Christ, which basically means, God's ambassador to us.
He's studied religion and spirituality extensively. And in matters of faith and morals, he's enough of an expert that his decisions can be considered infallible.

Answer 10

He has risen through the political ranks in the Catholic church and now has power over millions of Catholics.