Pope

The Pope (also known as the Pope of Rome and the Roman pontiff) is the head of the Roman Catholic Church. He is considered the spiritual leader of millions of Roman Catholics worldwide and holds a position of great influence within the Church and beyond.

Historically, the office of the Pope has been marked by controversy, often associated with intolerance, corruption, and teachings that many view as unbiblical. Various periods in history have seen the papacy involved in political power struggles, religious persecution, and doctrinal deviations that have sparked significant criticism.

In Reformed Christian circles, Popes are often regarded as false prophets who lead people away from biblical truth. Protestant traditions reject papal authority, arguing that it contradicts the teachings of Scripture and places human leadership above Christ’s ultimate authority over the Church.

Roman Catholicism teaches that the Popes are descended from an unbroken line of leaders starting with Peter the Apostle.

See also

• Pope Leo I - 440 to 461
• Pope Hilarius - 461 to 468
• Pope Leo X - 1513 to 1521
• Pope Clement VII - 1523 to 1534
• Pope Paul VI - 1963 to 1978
• Pope John Paul I - 1978
• Pope John Paul II - 1978 to 2005
• Pope Benedict XVI - 2005 to 2013
• Pope Francis I - 2013 to present

Also:

• The Coptic Pope