Does anyone think the pope has too much power?
Just asking. He is a powerful influence in the media and around the world.

I mean he can even place sainthood on people. Can't he?
Kat

Hmmmm.... he has no power over me. I was born Catholic, too. I called him a "figurehead" to my mother over the phone and I think I heard a breeze from her doing the sign of the cross so fast!

Wasn't going to laugh...but that was funny.

Kat

I thought so too.... she was horrified!!! I am still teasing her about it.

not catholic so to me he is just some devout catholic guy

no

no he can't..to be cannonized....all the bishops have to vote.( i think)...there has to be evidence of a miracle....


like the sun being shoved down your throat...or something close to that

Nope!

His power is limited to the officiating of the Church.
He is a spiritual guide for millions but he has no power over us. His position with me is one of respect for his life long dedication and his knowledge concerning the teachings of God and Jesus Christ!

I am not attacking him or the values of Catholics. I was just asking.
And yes, it takes a special sort of person to devote their whole life to anything.

Kat

Personal, it feels as if all the non-catholics despise the pope, but let me remind you about our previous pope JPSquared(John Paul 2) look at what he did for everyone everywhere. Like it or not the pope is a political influence, you say he has no control over you well maybe not direct control but we all are indirectly affected by the pope at one time or anonther....

Thank you for that. I have felt the the Pope also has influenced all in our world to some extent or another.

The last Pope was awesome.

Kat

You are welcome.....

And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Thou art Peter, etc... As St. Peter, by divine revelation, here made a solemn profession of his faith of the divinity of Christ; so in recompense of this faith and profession, our Lord here declares to him the dignity to which he is pleased to raise him: viz., that he to whom he had already given the name of Peter, signifying a rock, John 1:42, should be a rock indeed, of invincible strength, for the support of the building of the church; in which building he should be, next to Christ himself, the chief foundation stone, in quality of chief pastor, ruler, and governor; and should have accordingly all fulness of ecclesiastical power, signified by the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Upon this rock, etc... The words of Christ to Peter, spoken in the vulgar language of the Jews which our Lord made use of, were the same as if he had said in English, Thou art a Rock, and upon this rock I will build my church. So that, by the plain course of the words, Peter is here declared to be the rock, upon which the church was to be built: Christ himself being both the principal foundation and founder of the same. Where also note, that Christ, by building his house, that is, his church, upon a rock, has thereby secured it against all storms and floods, like the wise builder, Matthew 7:24-25. The gates of hell, etc... That is, the powers of darkness, and whatever Satan can do, either by himself, or his agents. For as the church is here likened to a house, or fortress, built on a rock; so the adverse powers are likened to a contrary house or fortress, the gates of which, that is, the whole strength, and all the efforts it can make, will never be able to prevail over the city or church of Christ. By this promise we are fully assured, that neither idolatry, heresy, nor any pernicious error whatsoever shall at any time prevail over the church of Christ.) 19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. (Loose on earth... The loosing the bands of temporal punishments due to sins, is called an indulgence; the power of which is here granted.)

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Not my words. The Lord words. Denying this words is denying my Lord, and all what he represents.

TLW

PS whatever is in parenthesis is the explanation given at www.newadvent.ort, which is the site where the catholic encyclopedia is.

The Pope said it is okay to believe in Aliens.

He knows something.

He ain't telling though.

His power is political.

JB

the Pope is a huge influence and let me just say..love the hat .

He can make people saints but that only effects catholics. They would be catholic saints. He has as much power as catholics let him have. But I think the current pope is pretty flexible and modern. I am not a huge fan of him in general- any affiliation with the nazi's really bothers me. I understand that sometimes people do things when they are young and frightened and regret them later but then those people don't get to be pope. Or president. I try not to judge anyone but connects to genocide attempts could be an exception for me...

You are so funny!

Hate the hat.