Who is the Pope?

By Nicole Terese

The Pope is known as the vicar of Christ. The word “vicar” means to be a representative of; the pope is our leader who acts on behalf of Christ, who is the head of the Catholic Church. Thus, the pope acts as the guarantor of the Church’s obedience to the Word of God (Bible), in other words, Jesus. This means that he guarantees a rigorous fidelity to the Word of God against arbitrariness and conformism. His power to lead the church in this way is not derived politically or democratically, but from appointment by Jesus himself.

… his [the Pope’s] power to lead the Church in this way is not derived politically or democratically, but from appointment by Jesus himself

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says to Simon, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” Then, he gave Peter ‘the keys of the kingdom of heaven’ (Matthew 16:19). This was what gave Peter the undisputed authority to lead Jesus’ followers at that time. Peter’s role and assignment was hence different from that of the other Apostles, and the chair of Peter, meaning the position of the leader of the church, was thereby established by direct command from Jesus himself.

Jesus’ promise that the gates of hell would not prevail against the church tells us that the chair of Peter (the papacy) upon which the church was built will not succumb to evil. As members of the faithful, we trust in the Lord’s promise and hence submit to the spiritual leadership of the pope.

Even though the Pope is the leader of the Church, he is and always will be a servant to Christ. Jesus is the head of our Catholic Church and it was Jesus who appointed an earthly leader to govern the Church. Every pope since Peter, is considered the immediate successor of Peter, not the successor of the pope before him.

 

The Pope and Peter

This flow of authority given from Jesus to the Apostles to the current bishops across the world is known as Apostolic succession. Papal authority is derived from this concept of Apostolic succession. Although Jesus assigned Peter as the rock of the church, ie. established his office of leader of the church, Jesus also commanded his Apostles to lead the community of believers in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), giving them offices of leadership as well. These offices of leadership are passed down to bishops ordained by the Apostles from their God-given authority. In other words, Apostolic succession is executed through the Sacrament of Holy Orders! The Apostles’ teachings, preachings and authority are what is succeeded by bishops and priests upon their ordination.

Apostolic succession is precisely what ‘institutionalises’ the Catholic church, or what gives it its structure. This is because the entire leadership of the Catholic church (the bishops) across the centuries can be traced directly back to Peter and the Apostles, who were chosen by Jesus to lead the church. This is also why the Catholic Church is the one true Church, because it is the true ministry of Jesus. These offices of leadership are not arbitrary and appointed solely by human decision, but through guidance by the Holy Spirit who safeguards the Church from destruction and error (there is a very long and detailed process!).

Because Apostolic succession preserved the Apostles’ teachings, preachings and authority, the current teachings of the Catholic church have remained unchanged since the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. This is evidenced from both Scripture and writings of early Christians who came shortly after the apostolic period. Since our God is constant and never-changing, it follows that teachings of the church are constant across the generations despite changing societal norms as well. Therefore, the Catholic church is the only church that can trace their origins directly back to the church founded by Jesus, and not other human founders like other churches. For a more in-depth explanation, click here. (Link to article on three pillars of the church)

In conclusion, the basis of papal authority is Apostolic succession, which is also what confers the Catholic church it’s legitimacy and gives Catholics the confidence that they belong to the one true church of Jesus Christ.

 

Additional Resources:

a. Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, The Primacy of the Successor of Peter in the Mystery of the Church
https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/
Rc_con_cfaith_doc_19981031_primato-successore-pietro_en.html

 

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