Question for Catholics regarding The Pope...?

As you can see just in this thread alone, there are many misconceptions about what a Pope is and what role he plays in Catholicism. Essentially, a Pope is a continuation through a direct line as an Apostle of Jesus. He is a spiritual guide, and he's a figurehead. He's supposed to help clarify doctrine. And most Popes have been humanitarians. Yes, some have been corrupt and very detrimental to the Catholic faith, but they are few.

Part of it is ignorance and a willingness to remain ignorant. It's the whole "I'm right and I HAVE to be right or else" mentality where certain people simply can't fathom that their opinion is misguided, and that they believe lies. In other words, pride.

We do not worship the Pope. The Pope does not claim to be God on Earth (that was Jesus, as the Son of God). The Pope is not prayed to. The Pope isn't even a saint. He's a spiritual man who is the leader elect.

The monarch of England is the head of the Protestant faith, and most of the time has no interest whatsoever in the spiritual welfare of the members of the church. And yet these Catholic Bashers don't go bashing the good ole' Queen of England. Go figure.

I would say it is blind ignorance for the successor of St. Peter. Other denominations of Christians believe for some odd reason that we worship him or something. What they fail to see is He is the leader of Christ's church on Earth, he is truly fueled by the Holy Spirit when speaking infallibly which I don't believe has happened in something like 60 years. He is just the leader who leads the flock to our Heavenly Father, just and Earthly representative. I find the majority of the people who do mock or hate the Pope to usually be completely misguided in their own Christianity and faith. As most Catholics know we are the one Church Christ started, but the other denominations deny this therefore lack the understanding from the Holy Spirit about who the Pope truly is to Catholics and really the whole world.

Chalk it up to one reason, and one only: Rejection of authority. Even though Scripture itself states that the pillar and foundation of the truth is the church (1 Timothy 3:15) and not the Bible, and even though Christ established the apostolic succession of the church by giving Peter the keys to the kingdom (Matthew 16:18-20), the foundation of all Protestant-derived Christian groups is in rejection of that authority in favor of individualism. Little wonder that this has taken such strong root in the U.S. as expressed in the many fundamentalist and evangelical groups abounding here.

They can dress up their objection to the papacy in any way they wish, from the ridiculous notion of "Roman Cult of the Ceasar as God" to the handy "man-made" accusation (never mind that many of their own traditions -- yes, traditions -- are also "man-made" and not specifically spelled out in the Bible) to deliberate obfuscation of the doctrine of infallibility, but it boils down to willful ignorance of what the Church teaches and rebelliousness. Period.

Try reading the "Chronicles of the Popes" by PG Maxwell-Stuart, it will give you insight on why the office of the pope is hated throughout the world by non-Catholic Christians. The first Popes were not about Religious piety, they were all about power and greed. Many Popes, the worst being Damasus, gained their position through murder and deceit. Damasus whom after the death of his predecessor, Liberius; "...hired thugs to massacre the supporters of his rival, the anti-pope Ursinus". Then the later renaissance Popes abused the system to advance their own families and gain wealth and power. Leo X ( Giovanni De' Medici, the leader of the Infamous De Medici family) was famous for the quote "God has given us the Papacy. Now let us enjoy it"

most popes sold Indulgences, this becoming obscenely common place by the term of Sixtus IV in 1476, carried on by Leo X, Hadrian VI to Clement VII, which led to the 95 Theses of Martin Luther, the reformation period and the formation of Protestantism. Popes, Clement VII as an example, were constantly under the rule of Holy Roman Emperors, thus were pawns of the Hapsburg family dynasty and unable to be impartial, but this was the basis of its power, it has since the time of Constantine been subservient to the reigning Emperor.

Just because the Papacy of the modern era has been forced to take a more enlightened position, doesn't mean we forget itrs deceitful, murderous, greedy, powermongering beginnings.

The Catholic Papacy was built on a lie with blood foundations, you should read your own denominations history

EDIT: look at it this way; If I killed all the members of... say.. the Governing Body of the Jehovah's Witnesses, took control and spread, my interpretation of word of Jesus, making my followers the biggest religion on earth, would that make me righteous and worthy of worship? No!!!

I think they do not understand his office, and falsely believe Catholics hold him higher than God.

I was Methodist for most of my life before converting to Catholicism. I never "hated" the Pope, but I misunderstood what he meant to the Church and the actual way his office works. I didn't understand his authority. I thought that Catholics believed he was infallible and sinless at all times. This of course is ridiculous, now as a Catholic I know this.

But I think a lot Protestants have erroneous beliefs about the Pope, and since they are not Catholic, they never care to find out if their beliefs are accurate. They just assume they know and they teach their children these same things and so on and so on.

ADDED: Chris is an excellent example of such ignorance and the spread of erroneous beliefs. Pope is not in the Bible, and it doesn't have to be. That's just one of the many silly statements made to undermine the authority and office Christ established. Pope means "papa" in Greek. There is nothing mysterious about this, just that the Pope is the head of the Church just as a "father" is the head of his family. He is our ruling authority until Christ's return...that was the purpose of giving Peter the keys!

For some is ignorance, prejudice, envy, hatred, jealousy, etc, all of which is negative, personally I see the Pope, as a Holy figure, a predecessor of St. Peter, the prince of the Catholic church. I guess been a Catholic and believing in God isn't easy for any one, because of the opposition?, though I love your opinion, and question, I though I show you some understanding and express my own opinion about your positive though. This is Christian love. <God is good>

Non-Catholics can't believe that Catholics just can't SEE their organization for what it is....

The re-born Roman Cult of the Ceasar as God here on earth!

What is the Pope considered? The Vicar of Christ on earth- THE ONLY vicar of Christ- the pope's word is as good as the Bible to the RCC. The Pope can make anything doctrine- and the people are supposed to believe it. And the RCC has made many questionable things doctrine.

The simple Apostles Creed really is all one needs for their salvation.... yet the RCC has added SO many things to it..

You MUST attend Mass, you have to get grace thru the sacraments, you have to do penances, there are mortal and venial sins, you must make a "good" confession or it is of no use......

The Bible says Christ is the High Priest ONCE FOR ALL, the ONLY mediator between God and man.....

Where were the priests in the New Testament? Not in the new Christians- that was OLD stuff, the Jews- which Jesus eliminated. NO more need for you to go to anyone other than Jesus.

It is so simple, the Apostles Creed, why is there so much added to it?

My bible does not show a lineage link from St. Peter to some catholic pope.

That is why you seem to sense hate. It is because you and your pope cannot even save yourselves and yet you attempt to set yourself up as the one true religion.

Peter was an apostle. The church is built on Jesus the rock of ages.

Get over yourselves, catholics, or fry in hell. You really need to be born again in the spirit to be saved. John 3:3

I think it is a little of both.

The Pope is the Successor of St. Peter and Vicar of Christ on Earth. He is infalliable on matters of faith and morals. Thou art Peter and upon this rock I shall build my Church and not even the gates of hell shall prevail against you. This was spoken by our Lord to St. Peter and this applys to his successors

Last week I watched 2 catholic priests fight to the death when I threw them a small boy.

The winner had to fight Michael Jackson.

Silence,I kill you!