im not a big religious fan but i believe there is a higher power out there. im just curious if someone woke up one day and said "i will be Pope from here on out". what year was the first Pope 'elected' into office so to speak?
TIAT
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The Papacy is of pagan origin. The title of pope or universal bishop, was first given to the bishop of Rome by the wicked emperor Phocas
This he did to spite Bishop Ciriacus of Constantinople, who had justly excommunicated him for his having caused the assassination of his predecessor emperor Mauritius. Gregory 1, then bishop of Rome, refused the title, but his successor, Boniface III, first assumed title "pope."
Jesus did not appoint Peter to the headship of the apostles and forbade any such notion. (Luke 22:24-26; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; 1st Corinthians 3:11).
Note: Nor is there any mention in Scripture, nor in history, that Peter ever was in Rome, much less that he was pope there for 25 years; Clement, 3rd bishop of Rome, remarks that "there is no real 1st century evidence that Peter ever was in Rome."
locusfire
It's a position that has evolved over time. With the collapse of the Roman Empire, people needed strong leadership to help protect and guide things. The position of the pope had been around for a while, though now like we know it today, more as just the leader- and not the sole leader- in an organization. As the Roman Empire fell, Roman popes took more responsibility and leadership rolls in not just the ministry, but in dealing with the hostel european natives... who were a huge threat. A lot of scholars today believe that the barbarian threat was one of the things that really projected the Roman pope to such a position, because the Eastern popes at the time never had such problems, and thus never gained as much authority or power.
Eventually the roman pope broke ranks with the Eastern Orthodox and forced more on the European populations, which in time brought more power and wealth to the system.
Midge
Throughout all time God has had a Shepherd on Earth to guide his flock---Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua etc. A leader of his flock is nothing new ---The name has just changed. The office was instituted by Christ when he told Peter to feed his sheep and that he was the Rock he was building his Church on and even after Judas so nastily betrayed Jesus the Apostles knew they had to replace someone in his "office" of Apostleship so the succession of the position of Peter was nothing new either. There has always been Bishops (Apostles) and there were always a head Bishop----the bishop of Rome ---The Pope. The Seat of Peter.
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Catholics do not treat the Pope like he is a god. Catholics do not say that Mary is a god or God or above Jesus. Catholics don't "create" saints. The Pope is more "important" than any other person because he is the earthly head of the Church. Any other questions?
JosefStalinsTroll
Some guy wanted power and took it then claimed to be pope. He used people's faith against them for his own personal gain just as he does today.