Whats the pope?

Question

I've seen the pope on TV, but I don't understand, is he a catholic or christian or anything else? And please give details on what exactly is he there for? Whats his job?

Answer 1

The term "vicar" comes from the Latin word vicarius, which means "instead of." In the Catholic Church, the vicar is the representative of a higher ranking official, with all of the same authority and power that that official has. In calling the Pope the "Vicar of Christ," this implies that he has the same power and authority that Christ had over the Church. The title is derived from Jesus' words in John 21:16-17 to Peter, "Feed my lambs . . . Take care of my sheep." This, according to Catholic reasoning, defines Peter as the Prince of the Apostles, the first Pope, and fulfills the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:18-19 (calling Peter the rock upon which Jesus will build His church).

For a better understanding of whether or not it is biblical to consider that a mere man is the representative of Christ, we turn to the pages of Scripture to find out what it says about Jesus' role in our lives, when He walked the earth and what He continues to do right now. The letter to the Hebrews draws the comparison between Jesus and the high priest Melchizedek (Genesis chapter 14), and contrasts this with the old Levitical priesthood. The question posed is, if perfection could be obtained by following the law, why was another priest to come (Hebrews 7:11)?

The writer says, “For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of power of an indestructible life. For it is declared ‘You are a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.’ The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God” (Hebrews 7:14-19).

This makes Jesus superior to the priests, and most importantly, the high priests. This is the key text: “Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:23-25).

This means that Jesus is our high priest forever. Since He is "holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, [and] exalted above the heavens" (Hebrews 7:26), He is unlike other priests in that He "does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once and for all when He offered Himself" (Hebrews 7:27). Men are appointed by the Law, and men are weak. But the Son was appointed by the New Covenant, and He has been made perfect forever (Hebrews 7:28). The ministry of Jesus is superior to the old, and it is founded on better promises (Hebrews 8:6).

The Bible says of Jesus that there is no other name by which men can be saved (Acts 4:12). There is only one mediator between God and men, and that is Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). We can now see that there is no Biblical foundation for claiming to be a representative of Christ on earth. No man could do what Christ has done, or what Christ is now doing on behalf of humankind. But the title of vicar also carries with it another implication: the bearer has the same jurisdictional power of the official he represents. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus Christ is the one who says He will build His church, He never delegates this power. By claiming the title of Vicar of Christ, the reigning pope is, in fact, promising to do what Christ promised.

Jesus does indeed predict a “vicar” in the sense of a “replacement” for His physical presence here on earth. However, this “vicar of Christ” is not a priest, high priest, bishop, or pope. The only Biblical “vicar of Christ” is the Holy Spirit. John 14:26 declares, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:16-18 proclaims, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” The Holy Spirit is Christ’s “replacement” on the earth. The Holy Spirit is our Counselor, Teacher (John 14:26), and guide into all truth (John 16:13).

In claiming that the pope is the “vicar of Christ,” the Catholic church rejects the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ’s priesthood, and grants to the pope roles that Christ Himself declared would belong to the Holy Spirit. It is therefore blasphemy to ascribe to the Pope the title of “vicar of Christ.”

Recommended Resource: The Gospel According to Rome: Comparing Catholic Tradition and The Word of God by James McCarthy.

Answer 2

The Pope is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, and claims the place of "God on Earth", and claims the ability to forgive sins. This is why he is considered guilty of blasphemy, because Christ needs no sinful human "intercessor", and only Christ can forgive sins.
In reality, the Pope is simply the heir of Caesar. When the Pagan Roman Empire was controlled by Emperor Constantine, he "adopted" Christianity as the national religion and "baptized" his armies by marching them through water. (They only came out wet pagans, because there was no change of heart.) When Constantine's rule was ended, he handed over his seat and power to the Pope, who continued to have the same power as Caesar. Rome held great power over the kings of Europe for 1280 years. The only difference now was that the State and Religion were now merged, whereas in the past pagan Rome would still let everyone worship more or less as they pleased. This unification of State and an apostate (corrupt) form of Christianity were responsible for the Dark Ages and the Inquisition. True Christians who actually read their Bible knew that Rome had corrupted the faith, and hid out in the mountains to flee from persecution. They knew that Rome was the "Beast power" spoken of in Revelation. They also knew that in 1878, this "beast" would suffer a "deadly wound" that would later be healed.
In 1878, Naoleon's General Berthier captured the reigning Pope, who died in captivity. This was the "deadly wound" mentioned in Revelation. Rome was without a Pope for about 100 years. In the 20th century, new popes were appointed, and the Roman Catholic Church has grown in power and influence. This is how the "deadly wound" was healed.
Catholics do not believe that the Bible is the "inspired, inerrant word" of the Living God; they believe that the Pope, when he speaks "ex cathedra", is the Word of God. So the Pope can say anything he wants and say that it's from God. They also believe that anything the Pope says supercedes the Bible, which is dangerous.

Answer 3

Okay the Pope is the leader of the Catholic church and he is a christion because Catholics are christians. He is there to serve as kind of like the ambasador between heaven and earth sort of but not exactly. Jesus picked Saint Peter to continue his church. So Saint Peter was the first Pope. The position of the Pope has been passed down from Jesus himself and that is way the Catholic church refers to itself as the Church.

Answer 4

The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church here on earth as Jesus is, of course, head of the Church. The Pope is the descendant of Peter, who was the first Pope. His job is ti guide Catholics in the faith. The Pope is infallible on matters of faith, meaning that he cannot be wrong when he speaks "from the Chair of St. Peter." To my knowledge, the Pope has only used this twice in the entire history of the Church, which is two thousand years old. The last time he used this power was in the late 19th century when he declared that Mary, the Mother of God was born without sin or the Immaculate Conception. Obviously the Pope does not use this power lightly.

Answer 5

He's the leader of the Catholic Church. All Catholics throughout the world look to him for guidance and leadership. He explains teachings of the Church, appoints bishops, guides the development of discipline in the Church, and, in general, sets the tone for Catholics.

Basically, his "job" is to ensure unity among Catholics throughout the world. When there is a disagreement between two priests, it can be settled by their bishop, but if there is a disagreement between two bishops, it must be settled by the pope.

There is more evidence to suggest that Peter was in Rome than there is to suggest that the Pope thinks he's God.

Answer 6

the pope is most definately catholic

the head of the apostles (st peter) was the first pope, he was the representative of God on earth and so all popes that come after him are considered to be the same

He is the head of the Roman Catholic clergy and controls how the Catholic Church conducts their affairs throughout the world.

Answer 7

The pope is the spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church and the head of state of Vatican City. The pope's "job" is to guide the bishops on Catholic Theology, and to rule Vatican City.

Answer 8

The Pope is a very humble man who lives a very sparse life. He is also a learned theologian and the Vicar of Christ. He is the spiritual guide for all people, and for Catholics in particular. He upholds and justifies the law and the Ten Commandments. He studies the law and makes sure that it is interpreted correctly, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He spends his days beginning in prayer, ending prayer, and in the middle with prayer. He is very aware of his humanity, and very aware of the power of God's Truth. He offers up his sacrifice for the life of the church, to heal the afflicted, to bring the Peace of Christ to all nations.

Answer 9

His job is to help spread the word of the Catholic Church,to help them continue to grow in power and influence and wealth as the largest business on Earth. And of course he must dedicate a part of his time to insuring that all the pedophile priests don't end up in prison where they belong.

AD

Answer 10

The Pope is a Catholic Christian.

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.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 880-882: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p4.htm#880

With love in Christ.

Answer 11

I am pretty sure he is the head of the catholic church.
idk much else about him.