HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER
MASS IN ST PETER’S SQUARE FOR THE CANONIZATION OF SR MARY FAUSTINA KOWALSKA Sunday, 30 April 2000 1. “Confitemini Domino quoniam bonus, quoniam in saeculum misericordia eius”; “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever” (Ps 118: 1). So the Church sings on the Octave of Easter, as if receiving from Christ’s lips […]
THE APOSTLE PETER IN ROME
By Giuseppe Monno According to Christian tradition, the Apostle Peter first came to Rome around A.D. 42, during the early years of the reign of the Emperor Claudius (A.D. 41–54), probably shortly after his miraculous release from prison in Jerusalem (Acts 12:17). This date is suggested by Eusebius of Caesarea in Historia Ecclesiastica (II, 14, […]
THE PRIMACY OF PETER
By Giuseppe Monno Jesus Christ, the one and supreme Shepherd of his flock (John 10:11), willed to confer upon the Apostle Peter a primacy of authority and service above the other Apostles. Peter receives from God the Father a special revelation concerning the identity of Jesus. In the Gospel according to Matthew we read: “You […]
The Title of “Pope”
The word “pope” comes from the Greek “pappas” meaning “father” and is a scriptural custom started by the apostle Paul: “Even if you have countless guides in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers, for I became your father in Christ through the gospel” (1 Cor 4:14-15). Stephen addressed the Jewish leaders as “my […]
Question: Why is the Pope required to change his name after being appointed? Would it ever be possible to have a female Pope? Why or why not?
Answer: As the newly elected pope accepts his new role, it is tradition for him to select a new name, but not required. This papal tradition dates to 533 and the election of Pope John II, whose birth name was Mercurius. Mercurius is derived from Mercury, a pagan Roman god. Believing that a successor of St. […]
Devotion to the Pope
One of the most saintly sovereigns of all time was St. Stephen, King of Hungary. He always gave his subjects a perfect example of respect for the leaders of the Church, especially for the Holy Father. He built churches, monasteries, and institutions of charity throughout his kingdom. His personal life was a sterling example. His […]
Why does the Pope wear a white cassock?
The origins of the white papal garments are usually attributed to Pope St. Pius V (1566-72), as he was Dominican friar (who wore white) before becoming pope. Apparently, Pius V simply wanted to preserve his white Dominican cassock. However, the first recorded mention of a pope wearing white actually occurs nearly 300 years before Pope […]
Does the Pope go to Confession?
Answer: As pope? no; as man? yes. This is not a distinction without a difference, as there is no official, economic, or social status in the confessional. All are equal therein, in the sense that we are all sinners, including the man who is pope. It is my understanding that the present Holy Father, confesses […]
The Antipopes
These men held uncanonical claims to the papal office. Their names are listed below with the dates of their illegitimate reigns.[1] St. Hippolytus, 217-235 Novatian, 251 Felix II, 355-22 Nov. 365 Ursinus, 366-367 Eulalius. 27 Dec. 418-419 Lawrence, 498; 501-505 Dioscorus 22 Sept. 530-13 Oct. 530 Theodore. 687 Paschal, 687 Constantine, 28 June 767-769 Philip, […]
The Apostolic Fathers on Papal Succession
Victor R. Claveau, MJ Saint Irenaeus of Lyon (125-203 A.D.) “The blessed apostles (Peter and Paul), having founded and built up the church [of Rome]…handed over the office of the episcopate to Linus.” [1] Tertullian (c. 155-240 A.D.) “This is the way in which the apostolic churches transmit their lists: like the church of the […]