Changes

'''Pope''' (from Greek πάππας ''pappas'', father)<ref>pope: [https://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=pope American Heritage Dictionary]</ref> is the primary designation of the official title of each of the primary heads (''on earth'') of four Christian Churches<ref>[https://www.quora.com/How-many-popes-are-there How Many Popes Are There? (quora.com)]</ref> who exercise '''[[patriarch]]al''' primacy (from Latin ''patriarcha'', from Greek ''patriarkhēs'' head of a family, from ''patria'' family, clan, lineage, and ''archein'' to rule):<ref>patriarch: [https://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=patriarch American Heritage Dictionary]</ref>

'''Pope''' (from Greek πάππας ''pappas'', father)<ref>pope: [https://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=pope American Heritage Dictionary]</ref> is the primary designation of the official title of each of the primary heads (''on earth'') of four Christian Churches<ref>[https://www.quora.com/How-many-popes-are-there How Many Popes Are There? (quora.com)]</ref> who exercise '''[[patriarch]]al''' primacy (from Latin ''patriarcha'', from Greek ''patriarkhēs'' head of a family, from ''patria'' family, clan, lineage, and ''archein'' to rule):<ref>patriarch: [https://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=patriarch American Heritage Dictionary]</ref>

*The Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch of the [[Catholic Church]] and Patriarch of the West  

*The Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch of the [[Roman Catholic Church | Catholic Church]] and Patriarch of the West, (in Rome)

*The Pope of the Greek [[Orthodox Church]] of Alexandria and Patriarch of All-Africa (Calcedonian)<ref>[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Alexandria Church of Alexandria (orthodoxwiki.org)]</ref>

*The Pope of the Greek [[Orthodox Church]] of Alexandria and Patriarch of All-Africa ([[Great_Schism#Chalcedonian_Schism |Calcedonian]])<ref>[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Alexandria Church of Alexandria (orthodoxwiki.org)]</ref>

*The Pope of the [[Coptic]] Orthodox Church of Alexandria and Patriarch of All-Africa (non-Calcedonian)<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Coptic-Orthodox-Church-of-Alexandria Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria (britannica.com)]</ref>

*The Pope of the [[ Coptic Church | Coptic Orthodox Church]] of Alexandria and Patriarch of All-Africa ([[Great_Schism#Chalcedonian_Schism | Non-Calcedonian]])<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Coptic-Orthodox-Church-of-Alexandria Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria (britannica.com)]</ref>

*The Pope of The Palmarian Catholic Church (in Spain)<ref>[http://www.traditionalcatholic.info/palmarian-church/ Palmarian Church (traditionalcatholic.info)]</ref>

*The Pope of The Palmarian Catholic Church (in Spain)<ref>[http://www.traditionalcatholic.info/palmarian-church/ Palmarian Church (traditionalcatholic.info)]</ref>

The [[Ecumenical Patriarch]] of Constantinople is the leader of [[Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodoxy]].

The [[Ecumenical Patriarch]] of Constantinople is the leader of [[Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodoxy]].

=="Father" Matthew 23:9 [[exegesis]]==

=="Father" Matthew 23:9 [[exegesis]]==

*Mazza, Enrico (2004). The Eucharistic Prayers of the Roman Rite. Liturgical Press. p. 63. ISBN 9780814660782.  

*Mazza, Enrico (2004). The Eucharistic Prayers of the Roman Rite. Liturgical Press. p. 63. ISBN 9780814660782.  

*O'Malley, John W. (2009). A History of the Popes. Government Institutes. p. xv. ISBN 9781580512275.  

*O'Malley, John W. (2009). A History of the Popes. Government Institutes. p. xv. ISBN 9781580512275.  

*Schatz, Klaus (1996). Papal Primacy. Liturgical Press. pp. 28–29. ISBN 9780814655221.</ref> The earliest record of the use of this title was in regard to the by then deceased Patriarch of Alexandria, Pope Heraclas of Alexandria (232–248).<ref>Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica Book VII, chapter 7.7</ref> The earliest recorded use of the title "pope" in English dates to the mid-10th century, when it was used in reference to Pope [[Vitalian]] in an Old English translation of Bede's ''Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum''<ref>"pope, n.1". OED Online. September 2011. Oxford University Press. 21 November 2011</ref>—however, in the particular case of Vitalian, the term was applied [[Irony|ironically]] as a form of [[sarcasm]].

*Schatz, Klaus (1996). Papal [[Petrine Primacy|Primacy]]. Liturgical Press. pp. 28–29. ISBN 9780814655221.</ref> The earliest record of the use of this title was in regard to the by then deceased Patriarch of Alexandria, Pope Heraclas of Alexandria (232–248).<ref>Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica Book VII, chapter 7.7</ref> The earliest recorded use of the title "pope" in English dates to the mid-10th century, when it was used in reference to Pope [[Vitalian]] in an Old English translation of Bede's ''Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum''<ref>"pope, n.1". OED Online. September 2011. Oxford University Press. 21 November 2011</ref>—however, in the particular case of Vitalian, the term was applied [[Irony|ironically]] as a form of [[sarcasm]].

==Supreme Pontiff==

==Supreme Pontiff==

The Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch of the Catholic Church is the head of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] (the Latin Rite of the [[Catholic Church]]). Throughout the world "'''The Pope'''" (as a title, without specification) is universally understood to designate the Patriarch of the West. His Catholic titles include Bishop of Rome, in which position he is considered by Roman Catholics to be the successor of [[Saint Peter|St. Peter]]. The Pope is the chief pastor of the whole Church Catholic, the "[[Vicar]] of Christ upon earth." <ref>Until 1870 he also was the secular ruler of an independent country in central Italy, the Papal States. Since 1929 the Pope rules Vatican City, an independent country inside the city of Rome.</ref> The titles ''Summus pontifex'' and ''Pontifex maximus (Supreme Pontiff)'' are titles of dignity.<ref>[http://www.liquisearch.com/pontifex_maximus/roman_catholic_use_of_the_title Pontifex Maximus - Roman Catholic Use of The Title (liquisearch.com)]</ref> In ancient Rome ''pontifex maximus'' was the title of the chief priest of Rome, the Roman Pontiff.

The Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch of the Catholic Church is the head of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] (the Latin Rite of the [[Catholic Church]]). Throughout the world "'''The Pope'''" (as a title, without specification) is universally understood to designate the Patriarch of the West. His Catholic titles include Bishop of Rome, in which position he is considered by Roman Catholics to be the successor of [[Saint Peter|St. Peter]]. The Pope is the chief pastor of the whole Church Catholic, the "[[Vicar]] of Christ upon earth." <ref>Until 1870 he also was the secular ruler of an independent country in central Italy, the Papal States. Since 1929 the Pope rules Vatican City, an independent country inside the city of Rome.</ref> The titles ''Summus pontifex'' and ''Pontifex maximus (Supreme Pontiff)'' are titles of dignity.<ref>[http://www.liquisearch.com/pontifex_maximus/roman_catholic_use_of_the_title Pontifex Maximus - Roman Catholic Use of The Title (liquisearch.com)]</ref> In ancient Rome ''pontifex maximus'' was the title of the chief priest of Rome, the Roman Pontiff.

* '''Fisherman's Ring'''  

* '''Fisherman's Ring'''  

It is a gold ring decorated with a depiction of St. Peter in a boat casting his net.

It is a gold ring decorated with a depiction of St. Peter in a boat casting his net.

== Controversy ==

== Controversy ==

The Pope is claimed to be infallible in matters of doctrine.<ref>See [http://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/halsall/source/g7-dictpap.asp ''Dictatus Papae''. Medieval Sourcebook: Gregory VII: Dictatus Papae 1090]</ref> The concept of [[Papal Infallibility]] (1870) is used to proclaim articles of faith, which are essential for adherents to be truly 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.<ref>See [http://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/halsall/source/g7-dictpap.asp ''Dictatus Papae''. Medieval Sourcebook: Gregory VII: Dictatus Papae 1090]</ref> The concept of [[Papal Infallibility]] (1870) is used to proclaim articles of faith, which are essential for adherents to be truly 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]] of 1965 '''modified''' many of the dictates of 1870.

The [[First Vatican Council]], of 1870, anathematized all who dispute the [[Petrine Primacy|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]] of 1965 '''modified''' many of the dictates of 1870.

== The [[Scandal]] of the Bad Popes ==

== The [[Scandal]] of the Bad Popes ==

The Pope has been the head of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] for over 1600 years. The Eastern Orthodox churches reject his claims to primacy. Even more vigorously the Protestant Reformation rejected both Papal claims to primacy and the authority of the Patriarchs of the East. As [[secular]] leaders the Popes controlled Rome and the [[Papal States]] in central Italy until 1870, and especially in the 16th century were notable patrons of the arts, turning St. Peter's Church in Rome into an architectural wonder, especially notable for the artwork in its Sistine Chapel.<ref>Famous patrons of the arts include Sixtus IV (1471-1484), [[Julius II]] (1503-1513), and Clement VII (1523-1534)</ref>

The Pope has been the head of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] for over 1600 years. The Eastern Orthodox churches reject his claims to primacy. Even more vigorously the Protestant Reformation rejected both Papal claims to primacy and the authority of the Patriarchs of the East. As [[secular]] leaders the Popes controlled Rome and the [[Papal States]] in central Italy until 1870, and especially in the 16th century were notable patrons of the arts, turning St. Peter's Church in Rome into an architectural wonder, especially notable for the artwork in its Sistine Chapel.<ref>Famous patrons of the arts include Sixtus IV (1471-1484), [[Julius II]] (1503-1513), and Clement VII (1523-1534)</ref>

Since 1929 the Pope controls only the small Vatican City-state (located inside Rome), but has diplomatic relations with most nations. The Pope's power comes from his appointment of all the bishops in the [[Catholic Church]] (which includes the Roman Catholic Church), and from his ability (since 1870) to proclaim a theological doctrine infallibly. The history of the Popes is interwoven with the history of the Catholic Church and the history of Europe. The 262 Popes were saints and sinners<ref>They were all men. The 15th century story of "[[Pope Joan]]" who disguised herself as a man and became Pope sometime between A.D. 850 and 1050 was exposed as a false myth in 1650, but still circulates. Kelly (1998) 331-32.</ref> who ranged very widely indeed in terms of personalities and morality. In recent centuries most popes have been holy men and in recent decades they have been linguists able to speak to Catholics in many languages. In recent centuries most Popes have been scions of Italian nobility; notable exceptions are Pope John Paul II (1978-2005) the first Polish Pope, Benedict XVI (2005-2013) the first German since 1523 and [[Pope Francis]] (2013- ) from [[Argentina]] the first Pope from either of the American continents.

Since 1929 the Pope controls only the small Vatican City-state (located inside Rome), but has diplomatic relations with most nations. The Pope's power comes from his appointment of all the bishops in the [[Catholic Church]] (which includes the Roman Catholic Church), and from his ability (since 1870) to proclaim a theological doctrine infallibly. The history of the Popes is interwoven with the history of the Catholic Church and the history of Europe. The 262 Popes were saints and sinners<ref>They were all men. The 15th century story of "[[Pope Joan]]" who disguised herself as a man and became Pope sometime between A.D. 850 and 1050 was exposed as a false myth in 1650, but still circulates. Kelly (1998) 331-32.</ref> who ranged very widely indeed in terms of personalities and morality. In recent centuries most popes have been holy men and in recent decades they have been linguists able to speak to Catholics in many languages. In recent centuries most Popes have been scions of Italian nobility; notable exceptions are Pope John Paul II (1978-2005) the first Polish Pope, Benedict XVI (2005-2013) the first German since 1523, [[Pope Francis]] (2013-2025) from [[Argentina]] the first Pope from either of the American continents and Pope Leo XIV from the United States who also hold the Peruvian nationality.

The papacy has become a major factor in world history by promoting the Christian message globally through more extensive missionary work, ecumenical dialogue and increasingly active use of worldwide publishing and broadcast audio/visual media such as the [[Eternal Word Television Network]] (EWTN).

The papacy has become a major factor in world history by promoting the Christian message globally through more extensive missionary work, ecumenical dialogue and increasingly active use of worldwide publishing and broadcast audio/visual media such as the [[Eternal Word Television Network]] (EWTN).

Following the name of each Pope is the year of their accession.

Following the name of each Pope is the year of their accession.

[[File:Pope Francis march 2013 First mass.jpg|thumb|Pope Francis]]

[[File:Pope Leo XIV.jpg|thumb|Pope Leo XIV in 2025.]]

#[[Saint Peter]] (30?)

#[[Saint Peter]] (30?)

#[[Pope Linus]] (67)

#[[Pope Linus]] (67)

#[[Pope Anacletus]] (76)   

#[[Pope Anacletus]] (76)   

#[[Pope Clement I]] (88)

#[[Pope Clement|Pope Clement I]] (88)

#[[Pope Evaristus]] (97)

#[[Pope Evaristus]] (97)

#[[Pope Alexander I]] (105)

#[[Pope Alexander I]] (105)

#[[Pope Benedict XVI]] (2007)

#[[Pope Benedict XVI]] (2007)

#[[Pope Francis]] (2013)

#[[Pope Francis]] (2013)

[[Category:Catholic Church]]

[[Category:Catholic Church]]