Do Roman Catholics believe that the Pope is Christ on Earth?

Question

I've been reading this statement in a number of RC responses to questions. They're not saying a representative of Christ, but actually Christ.

Without outing anybody, here's one quote: "The Pope is Christ on earth to us Catholics, he is infallible IN MATTERS OF RELIGION."

Could somebody please tell me if that is a doctrine or core belief? And if it is, at what point does he become Christ - at birth or when he is elected to the office?

Thank you.

Genghis: I did not misunderstand. I directly copied and pasted it. What's to misunderstand?

Answer 1

The Pope is no more Christ on Earth than was St.Peter,he is the representative of Christ and His Vicar and while we say that he is infallible this means only when pronouncing on matters of faith,it still does not make him Christ.

Answer 2

no longer between the Popes has ever been "Christ in the international". however the pope follows in the custom of Peter. study Matthew sixteen: 13-20, and notice that Jesus himself commissioned St. Peter to be the rock i.e.-head, of his church. And so the popes in the process the a while have achieved in simple terms this. yet this would not propose that popes have not been corrupt at cases!

Answer 3

What the person who posted that means is that teh Pope is acting in the place of Christ on Earth.

Before He ascended into Heaven, Jesus took peter aside and asked Peter three times if Peter loved Him. Each time, Peter said "Yes", Jesus told Peter to feed His lambs.

(surprise, "jesussaves", I pointed to the Bible. Go ahead and say I twisted the words and meaning).

Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd and in this encounter, Jesus is telling Peter that he, Peter will be the shepherd of the people.

Peter took on the role of Jesus Christ and sucessive Popes have done the same.

The Pope is not Christ, but he has the position that Jesus Christ had when He was on Earth. The position of Pope will not be necessary after Jesus returns.

I hope this has clarified things.

Answer 4

Honestly don't listen to anyone of those answers saying they don't believe that. First off they don't seem catholic or else they would have stated it. Secondly they claim the pope to be the Vicar of Christ, which means he is in Christ's place here on earth. So basically there is a Jesus in heaven and a Christ on earth. They say he himself is not fallible but his teachings are. Now how can you not be fallible but your teachings are not at the same time? Doesn't make sense does it, if I tell you something than it came from my thoughts making me fallible. But anyway, that is not even in the bible. They will say peter was the first pope, because of the whole rock thing. But little do they realize peter in greek means petra is it? can't remember but anyway it means little rock. Than you have Christ which is the big rock, the foundation. So that idea can be thrown out the window. Secondly they will use the scripture that shows, where peter passes something to this guy. Sorry but I can't remember, than from there on it goes down the line being passed on until present day pope. I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP A DEVOUTED CATHOLIC TOLD ME THIS, a real close friend. So yes it is core belief.

Answer 5

Dear Cmw, The Pope as the Vicar (represenative of Christ) is considered to be infallible only under one condition, when he is speaking speaks "ex cathedra" ("from the chair"). But interestingly enough the Church belives in putting its onw dogma on par witht he scriptures, elevating the Pope to a certain extent to a almost superspiritual position. AND THE WORD VICAR ACTUALLY MEANS SOMEONE SET ASIDE TO ACT AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR AN AGENT OR SUPERIOR. in other words vicar of christ gives him the authority over the Church and the right to excersise power as he sees fit. But its useful to Note that the scriptures speak of only one vicar of Christ and thats the Holy spirit. Jesus Intrusted the Holy spirit with the Job of comforting and impowering his believers unitl his return. anyone who denyes that this is the offical teaching of the vatican, I suggest they read: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition (Washington, DC: US Catholic Conference, 1994, 1997) #882.] there in it states everything listed above as being fact.
God Bless

Answer 6

If you look at the titles of the Pope taken from Pagan Rome you will see his role.
Pontifus maximus.....The Chief bridge,(to God) a term that was one the title of the Emperor of Rome. The Pope took the role of Emperor.
Vicarius Deii......Vicarius means in the place of as in a vicarius death etc. Deii means God. His title means In the Place of God....literally. It is interesting to consider the Greek word for Vicarius...it is Anti...In place of...as in Anti Pasta. So Vicarius Deii or Vicarius Christus can be translated into Greek.....it is AntiChristus.....literally
AntiChrist. This is not something I made up or something bigotted or filled with hatred. It is the literal translation of one of the titles of the Pope.
Check out
1. The Two Babylons by Alexander Hislop
2. A woman rides the Beast by Dave Hunt for all the details. They are amazing and cannot be denied.
It is also interesting to note that the Roman letters in Vicarivs Deii add up to 666. I don't think this is too significant as many names and titles add to this, but the reformation leaders made much of this fact. We shall see.
St Malachy made a prophecy (Google St Malachy) and it outlined all the Popes and gave a brief description of the Pope or something related to him. The list runs out with the next Pope...He is referred to as Peter the Roman by St Malachy and is the Last Pope, Rome will be destroyed under this Pope and Either he or his replacement will be the actual antiChrist, or the False Prophet of Revelation. Google it and see. St Malachy was a Catholic saint.

Answer 7

He is known as the "vicar of Christ", not Christ Himself. Sort of Christ's viceroy, or mouthpiece, if you will. He is the head of the Roman Catholic church.

Answer 8

At what point does representative become avatar? It's semantics. Charismatic Christians believe they can channel the holy spirit, Roman Catholics have the Pope do it for them. Is there any difference?

Answer 9

http://www.catholicmissionleaflets.org/leafpope.htm

not Christ, Peter....

Answer 10

Nope.....just like other religions don't believe their Ministers are Christ.

The Pope is just the leader of their religion.....they believe when Christ said to Peter.....upon this rock I will build my church.....Peter was the rock.....symbolically