Question about the pope

[pharoahogc]

I was wondering why does the pope rule the Vatican and the church.
because didn’t god say

Mark 12:17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

I was wondering why does the pope rule the Vatican and the church.
because didn’t god say

Mark 12:17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.

Do you know what the Pope is? He is the Vicar of Christ --He is not Christ, He does not ‘rule the Church’ instead of Christ.

Have you studied history? Have you looked at the Muslim world, for example, and the early Christian kings of the 5th and 6th centuries, for example? The kings ruled, but they appointed (if they had to travel out of their kingdom) a ‘prime minister’, a ‘vicar’, a ‘vizier’, a ‘regent’. Someone who was not the king himself but could make decisions in the name of the king, because the king had appointed him and given him a seal, a staff, the ‘keys’ of authority. When the king returned to the kingdom, he took the seal, the staff, the keys back in hand.

So. . .when Jesus returns (as we know He will). . .the Pope will hand to Him the keys and say, "Here is your people Lord whom I have watched in your HOLY NAME. Your sheep whom I have fed as you THREE TIMES ASKED ST. PETER TO DO.

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[pharoahogc]

so as the vicar of Christ shouldn’t he be concerned whit spiritual matters only

 

[Tantum_ergo]

so as the vicar of Christ shouldn’t he be concerned whit spiritual matters only

Spiritual matters are important. . .but Christians (like all people) are spirit and flesh.

As James tells us in James 2:14; What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him? [15] And if a brother or sister be naked, and want daily food:
[16] And one of you say to them: Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; yet give them not those things that are necessary for the body, what shall it profit? [17] So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself. [18] But some man will say: Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without works; and I will shew thee, by works, my faith. [19] Thou believest that there is one God. Thou dost well: the devils also believe and tremble. [20] But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

In attending to the spiritual needs of all people, one must also consider the practical. Prayer is important, but lip service prayer to the poor man who is cold and starving, without attention to helping provide him with clothing and food, is not attending to that person’s spiritual needs, still less to the person who could be helping.

Therefore, the Pope’s concern for the spiritual welfare of his people must also be concerned with their earthly lives which are preparing them for heaven.

Our religion is not limited to going to church one hour on a Sunday, or to prayer ‘in our own home, not in the public square’.

Our religion should inform every single aspect of our lives. . .all that we do, all that we think, all that we say. . .all should be for God.

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As a wise person said, "If it were a crime for you to be a Christian, would the authorities be able to find enough evidence to convict YOU?'

 

[Corki]

so as the vicar of Christ shouldn’t he be concerned whit spiritual matters only

Nope. And neither was Jesus. Jesus was very concerned with caring for the whole person; with feeding the hungry, healing the sick, chosing good teachers, confronting sinful behavior AND the spiritual matters.

 

[OKAstro]

Do you know what the Pope is? He is the Vicar of Christ --He is not Christ, He does not ‘rule the Church’ instead of Christ.

Have you studied history? Have you looked at the Muslim world, for example, and the early Christian kings of the 5th and 6th centuries, for example? The kings ruled, but they appointed (if they had to travel out of their kingdom) a ‘prime minister’, a ‘vicar’, a ‘vizier’, a ‘regent’. Someone who was not the king himself but could make decisions in the name of the king, because the king had appointed him and given him a seal, a staff, the ‘keys’ of authority. When the king returned to the kingdom, he took the seal, the staff, the keys back in hand.

So. . .when Jesus returns (as we know He will). . .the Pope will hand to Him the keys and say, "Here is your people Lord whom I have watched in your HOLY NAME. Your sheep whom I have fed as you THREE TIMES ASKED ST. PETER TO DO.

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Well said Tantum

 

[NHInsider]

I think OP’s question has to do with the Pope’s temporal role as Head of State of the Vatican State - which is essentially an accident of history, there having been during the feudal era a large amount of what is now Italy that was what in England would have been called the “manor” of St. Peter’s (I don’t think that term was consistent across Europe, but the structure was - the local lord was responsible for protection of a territory, and in return his household would be supported by the surrounding territory - farms, villages, etc. Monasteries and cathedrals were similarly woven into the feudal fabric, responsible for the spiritual protection, and often for education, healthcare and hospitality, for a region that in turn supported the monks with their labor.

 

[pharoahogc]

Yes thank you NHinsider thats what i was asking

 

[Corki]

I think OP’s question has to do with the Pope’s temporal role as Head of State of the Vatican State - which is essentially an accident of history, there having been during the feudal era a large amount of what is now Italy that was what in England would have been called the “manor” of St. Peter’s (I don’t think that term was consistent across Europe, but the structure was - the local lord was responsible for protection of a territory, and in return his household would be supported by the surrounding territory - farms, villages, etc. Monasteries and cathedrals were similarly woven into the feudal fabric, responsible for the spiritual protection, and often for education, healthcare and hospitality, for a region that in turn supported the monks with their labor.

Practically speaking the Pope doesn’t govern the Vatican State. The President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State exercises virtually all the governing authority. The Pope is the sovereign head.

 

[Filioque]

Vatican City also protects the Pope and Curia from undue influence from one or another country. As an Independent state, the Pope (who in this case was born in Germany, and prior to Pope Benedict, was born a Pole) Can serve all peoples of all Countries.

While the Church holds the treasures of the Vatican Museum, and St. Peters on behalf of all peoples, and has them open for all to enjoy. The Pope himself lives a very modest life. Anyone who has been in to see the Papal Apartments, is impressed with the simplicity in which the Pope lives. A few rooms out of all the buildings of St. Peters are reserved for him, like the Pope’s office, bedroom, private chapel, and dining room. Much more modest than most heads of state. The revenues from admission to the Vatican Museum and other sources go not only to restoring artwork, but also to charities to feed, clothe and house the poor, and provide medical care to those in most need.