must there allways be a Pope in the Catholic church?

Answer 1

Yes, this is what we believe Jesus wanted.

John 21:15-17 states:

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

He then said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." (Jesus) said to him, "Feed my sheep.

Matthew 16:17-19 states:

Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

The Catholic Church believes the Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock.

The Pope is the senior pastor of 1.1 billion Catholics, the direct successor of Simon Peter.

The Pope’s main roles include teaching, sanctifying, and governing.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

There must always be a pope in the Church. This is because the position is totally necassary to teach the one true Church infallibly on matters of faith and morals, and to ensure our unity that has lasted for 2,000 years. Without a teaching authority, there is only seperation of unity and chaos -- as seen countless times in Protestant churches around the world today and throughout its short history. The pope may not always be a great man or may sometimes say and do things that are off the wall, but the Holy Spirit will never lead him astray in matters of faith and morals. He speaks infallibly only "ex cathedra," which is the first two levels of the Magesterium of the Church. The majority of what the pope states falls into the third level of Magesterium and therefore is not infallible.

Answer 3

The Papacy was meant to be a lineage, with one successor after another until the end of time.

There have been periods of time when the Church was without a pope. These periods are relatively brief and are usually only as long as it takes to elect the successor to the previous pope.

Even in the brief absence of a pope, the Church is not leaderless. The College of Cardinals gather in Rome to oversee the general operational elements of the Church while they decide upon a new pontiff.

Answer 4

Jill, the pope is not descendant of Peter - but successor of Peter.

Yes, there always must be a pope - with reasonable intervals between the death of one and election of the next. There once was an interval of a couple of years between popes because of political reasons. During this interregnum, the college of cardinals administers the Church, but does not have infallible authority in issues of faith and morals except when re-iterating previously defined doctrines.

Answer 5

Probably. Although it'll be interesting to see what happens after St Malachi's prophecy finishes. Seems the next pope will be the last pope. How much longer can that be?

Answer 6

For the forseeable future, yes...maybe times will change and "allow" more open thought. But, I've noticed the Catholic church moves like a big boat...it takes awhile to steer the thing because it is so big.

Peace, Love, and Blessings
Greenwood

Answer 7

There doesn't HAVE to be I suppose but they always will. The position is said to be descended from Peter.

Answer 8

Yes! until Christ comes again!