Pope resigns

[Kaz]

Ooj what's an anti-pope??? Genuine question as I seriously have no idea

[Workingman]

An antipope is not what one might think - someone who is against the Papacy - but it's a bit complicated.

In terms of religious pronouncements the words of the Pope are, for believers, the words of God, and infallible, so two Popes serving at the time is a no-no, but it has happened. Infallibility cannot be shared, only one can be infallible, so the other is described as an antipope. It does not mean that an antipope is in direct conflict with the Pope, though this did happen for a time in Avignon with at least two alternative Popes.

Take the present situation with Benedict. Had he made his decision to retire known to the College of Cardinals some time ago, and had they elected a new Pope before the day of Benedict's retirement there would be two Popes... until such time as Benedict did retire. Now imagine that Benedict changed his mind and decided to stay on, the newly elected Pope would be described, for a time, as an antipope. It is to do with the line of succession, that is why Benedict will retire, and only when he has done so will a new Pope be elected.

For a period of at least a month there will be no Pope.

[Diflower]

Thanks WM - I hadn't spotted the reference to antipopes but that's interesting, and explains why they've said there can't/won't be two popes at the same time.

[Kaz]

Thanks Frank

[Oojamaflip]

An antipope is not what one might think - someone who is against the Papacy - but it's a bit complicated.

In terms of religious pronouncements the words of the Pope are, for believers, the words of God, and infallible, so two Popes serving at the time is a no-no, but it has happened. Infallibility cannot be shared, only one can be infallible, so the other is described as an antipope. It does not mean that an antipope is in direct conflict with the Pope, though this did happen for a time in Avignon with at least two alternative Popes.

Take the present situation with Benedict. Had he made his decision to retire known to the College of Cardinals some time ago, and had they elected a new Pope before the day of Benedict's retirement there would be two Popes... until such time as Benedict did retire. Now imagine that Benedict changed his mind and decided to stay on, the newly elected Pope would be described, for a time, as an antipope. It is to do with the line of succession, that is why Benedict will retire, and only when he has done so will a new Pope be elected.

For a period of at least a month there will be no Pope.

Thanks WM.

Apart from one word in your second sentence, you've explained it well. "Believers' is too much of a generic term: it's specifically Catholics. For many Christian believers the words of the Pope are not necessarily those of God, and are therefore capable of being humanly fallible.

[Kaz]

Cheers Ooj

[Workingman]

Apart from one word in your second sentence, you've explained it well. "Believers' is too much of a generic term.

Ooops, I though that the fact that I was speaking specifically about The Pope, antipopes and Papacy meant that I was also talking about Catholics.

I will be clearer in future. Like glass.

[Oojamaflip]

Ooops, I though that the fact that I was speaking specifically about The Pope, antipopes and Papacy meant that I was also talking about Catholics.

I will be clearer in future. Like glass.

Some of us have a vested interest.