Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Francis
13 March 2013 – present
Why do we have a pope?
In Matthew chapter 16 Jesus said to St. Peter, the leader of his apostles,
“You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
With these words, Jesus chose St. Peter to be his first earthly representative. Today, 21 Centuries later, this office of His leadership continues.
All popes are considered symbolic descendants of Peter
and are thought to hold Peter's Chair.
While the popes, cardinals, bishops and clergy of this Catholic church throughout history have been men, sometimes saintly and holy as well as other times flawed, sinful and unrighteous, the words of Jesus to Peter are still true today. His church has prevailed.
When you look through the traditions, doctrines and rulings of the magisterium of the church you see the hand of God at work to maintain His pillar and foundation of truth.
Benedict XVI
Ven. John Paul I
St John Paul II
26 August 1978 – 28 September 1978
(7 years, 315 days)
St John Paul II
Ven. John Paul I
St John Paul II
16 October 1978 – 2 April 2005
(26 years, 168 days)
Ven. John Paul I
Ven. John Paul I
Ven. John Paul I
26 August 1978 – 28 September 1978
(33 days)
St Paul VI
St John XXIII
Ven. John Paul I
21 June 1963 – 6 August 1978
(15 years, 46 days)
St John XXIII
St John XXIII
St John XXIII
28 October 1958 – 3 June 1963
(4 years, 218 days)
Ven. Pius XII
St John XXIII
St John XXIII
2 March 1939 – 9 October 1958
(19 years, 221 days)
Pius XI
Benedict XV
Benedict XV
6 February 1922 – 10 February 1939
(17 years, 4 days)
Benedict XV
Benedict XV
Benedict XV
September 1914 – 22 January 1922
(7 years, 141 days)
St Pius X
Benedict XV
St Pius X
4 August 1903 – 20 August 1914
(11 years, 16 days)
Leo XIII
Leo XIII
St Pius X
20 February 1878 – 20 July 1903
(25 years, 150 days)