Pope
From RationalWiki
The Pope, also called the Pontiff, is the head of the Roman Catholic Church, and a revered figure in the Catholic world. This adulation belies the dubious origins of the position. The Pope also has the distinction of being a double primate.[1]
Historically, the Pope is typically an old man well past normal retirement age. The Cardinals could not bear it if a young vigorous man had the power of the Pontiff, so they invariably choose an old man. Or they just choose a wise man with plenty of experience. It's not a position that anybody fresh from University can fulfill.
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[edit] Dubious origins
The origins of the papacy are dubious. "Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven", said Jesus, Matthew 23:9 yet Pope derives from the Latin Papa (father). Catholics claim Saint Peter was the first Pope, although he did not adopt the title; the first Pope for whom there is contemporary evidence was Eleuterus (reigned 174-189).
[edit] Historical power
In the middle ages, the Pope was often the most powerful figure in Europe. The Roman Catholic Church wielded power over, and demanded fealty from, the often weaker kings of the various countries. Punishment for transgression could be excommunication, which in those days was a very bad thing.
Paralleling the rise of Protestantism and stronger nation-states in Europe, the Pope, and the Vatican in general, was reduced to nothing more than the all-powerful head of a Church with hundreds of millions of adherents.[2]
[edit] Limits of papal power
Surprisingly, every pope beginning with Peter has died at the end of his life. The exception to this rule is Benedict XVI who began his tenure in 2005. It is not known when God will choose to fire him, but typically Popes are so good that He keeps them on Staff for a long, long time.
[edit] Perks
As Pope, one receives, for their own personal use, the Pope hat (very pretty!), custom Pope yarmulke (even prettier!!), the Pope limo (with pretty bulletproof shield!!!), and a force of 200 ex-soldiers dressed in frilly, 15th-century clothes[3] as bodyguards. Not to mention being the personal avatar of God. Damn, it must be nice to have that mainline to ultimate truth!
[edit] Footnotes
- ↑ Whatever that means - two monkeys?.
- ↑ If you don't believe this, go to adherents.com and look it up. A billion strong! (according to their parents)
- ↑ Designed by a confirmed bachelor, no less
