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'''The Pope''' (from Greek papas, father) is the [[head]] of the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] Church and the Head of State of the State of the [[Vatican City]]; the Bishop of Rome, who, as successor of St. Peter, is the chief pastor of the whole Church, the Vicar of Christ upon earth. ''Pontifex summus'' is a title of dignity.   

'''The Pope''' (from Greek papas, father) is the [[head]] of the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] Church and the Head of State of the State of the [[Vatican City]]; the Bishop of Rome, who, as successor of [[Saint Peter|St. Peter]], is the chief pastor of the whole Church, the Vicar of Christ upon earth. ''Pontifex summus'' is a title of dignity.   

''Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock (Cepha) I will build my Church.'' Matthew 16:17-19. ''Be the shepherd of my sheep.'' John 21:16.

''Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock (Cepha) I will build my Church.'' Matthew 16:17-19. ''Be the shepherd of my sheep.'' John 21:16.

== Benedict XVI ==

== Benedict XVI ==

Today the Pope is [[Pope Benedict XVI]]. On May 11, 2007 he canonized Brazil's first native-born saint. During the ceremonies the Holy Father said that today's world "needs transparent lives, clear souls, pure minds"; Christians, must resist the temptation to think of their lives as "mere objects of pleasure."  

Today the Pope is [[Pope Benedict XVI]]. On May 11, 2007 he [[canonized]] Brazil's first native-born saint. During the ceremonies the Holy Father said that today's world "needs transparent lives, clear souls, pure minds"; Christians, must resist the temptation to think of their lives as "mere objects of pleasure."  

''Gerald Fogarty, a Jesuit priest and professor at the University of Virginia, said that some Catholics were disappointed with Ratzinger's selection because he symbolized the conservative side of the church's ideological split, especially in the United States''.<ref> [http://www.cfr.org/publication/10595/ Benedict XVI: Conservative]</ref>

''Gerald Fogarty, a [[Jesuit]] priest and professor at the University of Virginia, said that some Catholics were disappointed with Ratzinger's selection because he symbolized the conservative side of the church's ideological split, especially in the United States''.<ref> [http://www.cfr.org/publication/10595/ Benedict XVI: Conservative]</ref>

== Controversy ==

== Controversy ==

The Pope is claimed to be infallible in matters of doctrine (see [[Dictatus Papae]]). The concept of [[Papal Infallibility]] is used to proclaim articles of faith, which are essential to adhere to be considered a Catholic. These articles are therefore considered to be a Dogmatic definition. Such pronouncements are rare, and the concept does not mean that Catholics are to believe everything that the Pope says is correct. The last issue was asserting the [[Assumption of Mary]].

The Pope is claimed to be infallible in matters of doctrine (see [[Dictatus Papae]]). The concept of [[Papal Infallibility]] is used to proclaim articles of faith, which are essential to adhere to be considered a Catholic. These articles are therefore considered to be a Dogmatic definition. Such pronouncements are rare, and the concept does not mean that Catholics are to believe everything that the Pope says is correct. The last issue was asserting the [[Assumption of Mary]].

The First Vatican Council, of 1870, anathematized all who dispute the Pope's primacy of honor and of jurisdiction (it is lawful to discuss the precise nature of that primacy, provided that such discussion does not violate the terms of the Council's Dogmatic Constitution). The Second Vatican Council '''modified''' many of the diktats of 1870.

[[The First Vatican Council]], of 1870, anathematized all who dispute the Pope's primacy of honor and of jurisdiction (it is lawful to discuss the precise nature of that primacy, provided that such discussion does not violate the terms of the Council's Dogmatic Constitution). [[The Second Vatican Council]] '''modified''' many of the diktats of 1870.

Critics of the papacy claim that past Popes who claimed successorship to St. Peter, such as Callixtus III and Alexander VI from the Borgia family, were so corrupt as to be unfit to wield power. An omniscient and omnibenevolent [[God]], they claim, would not have given those people the powers claimed for them by the Catholic Church. Opponents of these critics reply that even the worst Popes failed to wreck the traditions of the Church.

Critics of the papacy claim that past Popes who claimed successorship to St. Peter, such as [[Callixtus III]] and [[Alexander VI]] from the Borgia family, were so corrupt as to be unfit to wield power. An [[omniscient]] and [[omnibenevolent]] [[God]], they claim, would not have given those people the powers claimed for them by the Catholic Church. Opponents of these critics reply that even the worst Popes failed to wreck the traditions of the Church.

== See also ==

== See also ==