The infallibility of the pope is not conferred on the pope by another pope. It is a teaching of the Church that promises that the pope cannot err in matters of faith and morals. It does not mean that the pope is personally infallible. If it did mean that, then it might be regarded in the way you cited.
But isn’t the Pope selected by the voting of other men? It is passed not by Pope but still by other men. Right?
:nope: It is passed on by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
MariaG said:
The pope’s election by other men says nothing about the charism of infallibility that is a part of the office. Whoever is elected pope gains this charism as a part of the office. The charism is conferred on the pope by the Holy Spirit, by the laying on of hands, and not solely by the men through whom He works. God has worked through imperfect men all through history. The only perfect man was Jesus, and even he passed on his authority to fallible men. It is the Holy Spirit that makes the teachings and charisms of the Church valid as He works through the men called by God to serve the Church in the ministerial priesthood.
This is a good answer. But the question comes down into who decided that the pope gains the charism of infallibility as part of his office? Who determined that the Pope is infallible when speaking ex-cathedra?
In the Bible, Scripture tells us that the church is the pillar and foundation of truth. It also tells us that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us.
It has been true always and everywhere. I think your question is how and when was it officially defined (remember just because something has not been defined yet doesn’t mean it hasn’t always been true, ie Jesus’ divinity was defined by a council). Is that your question?
This is from here. catholic.com/library/Papal_Infallibility.asp