the pope (not pope Francis in particular)- wwyd if?

[scrupulousGirl]

I am in no way trying AT ALL to disrespect or be irreverent to Pope Francis (I greatly admire him and think he is wonderfulll!) I had to make that clear. But what if (once again not saying it will happen or that i think it will happen) but what if :the pope turned out to be the antichrist??? Is that possible? What would you do? Would u leave Catholicism? OR if he were the false prophet? This is supposed to be purely hypothetical as i genuinely want an answer.

 

[dshix]

I am in no way trying AT ALL to disrespect or be irreverent to Pope Francis (I greatly admire him and think he is wonderfulll!) I had to make that clear. But what if (once again not saying it will happen or that i think it will happen) but what if :the pope turned out to be the antichrist??? Is that possible? What would you do? Would u leave Catholicism? OR if he were the false prophet? This is supposed to be purely hypothetical as i genuinely want an answer.

The anti-Christ as foretold in revelation WILL NOT be the pope. The anti-Christ will be a worldly man who will attempt to display himself as Christ, and show many wonders and powers through the power of Satan. Many people will be drawn to him, thinking that he is the true Christ.

 

[ProdglArchitect]

We’ve had bad popes in the past, and while that would be a doozey of a bad one, we’ve survived all the rest, and would survive that one. I would not stop being Catholic.

 

[scrupulousGirl]

Also: if there is a catholic who is informed and practicing and they see the pope and they think (possibly out of ignorance) that the pope is the antichrist or false prophet? Would this be a sin? Im guessing yes. And also how is the antichrist unreligous and worldly when he calls himself god in the temple of God?? And is the false prophet any Christian leader? I am asking this because I grew up i n a family that is very protestant and allll growing up i was taught about the antichrist and now that i am becoming catholic i need to know!! Thank u !

 

[sumusresnovarum]

There is no anti-Christ mentioned in revelation. Although, the anti-christs (yes, plural) mentioned in the letters from John are supposed to be from within the community and lead believers aside falsely. That said, it is nearly impossible for the pope to be such an anti-christ, since he is elected by a body of his brothers who are guided by the Holy Spirit. Even the Malachi prophecies, which say that the pope will usher in the end of the world, do not mention that the final pope will be bad, but merely that he will guide the Church through tribulations.

 

[scrupulousGirl]

I really need answers for all these questions and remember counseling the doubtful and instructing the ignorant are spiritual works of mercy!!

 

[Zekariya]

I am in no way trying AT ALL to disrespect or be irreverent to Pope Francis (I greatly admire him and think he is wonderfulll!) I had to make that clear. But what if (once again not saying it will happen or that i think it will happen) but what if :the pope turned out to be the antichrist??? Is that possible? What would you do? Would u leave Catholicism? OR if he were the false prophet? This is supposed to be purely hypothetical as i genuinely want an answer.

We have had good papas and bad papas in the past. The gates of hell will not prevail.

 

[MaryT777]

I am in no way trying AT ALL to disrespect or be irreverent to Pope Francis (I greatly admire him and think he is wonderfulll!) I had to make that clear. But what if (once again not saying it will happen or that i think it will happen) but what if :the pope turned out to be the antichrist??? Is that possible? What would you do? Would u leave Catholicism? OR if he were the false prophet? This is supposed to be purely hypothetical as i genuinely want an answer.

The Catholic Church does not teach or believe the Pope or his office is that of the AntiChrist or ever would be. No, it’s not possible because it is promised in Scripture the gates of hell wilil not prevail against the Church Jesus founded. We’ve had our share of problems of course like any Church.
Mary.

 

[Iron_Donkey]

I am in no way trying AT ALL to disrespect or be irreverent to Pope Francis (I greatly admire him and think he is wonderfulll!) I had to make that clear. But what if (once again not saying it will happen or that i think it will happen) but what if :the pope turned out to be the antichrist??? Is that possible? What would you do? Would u leave Catholicism? OR if he were the false prophet? This is supposed to be purely hypothetical as i genuinely want an answer.

The pope cannot make infallible doctrinal errors. If we were to get an evil Pope, ant-Christ or no (which is not to say that I think an anti-Christ pope is possible), the best bet would be to remain Catholic, remain true to the teachings of the Church, to know that the teachings of the Pope and Church as a whole are protected, and to continue receiving the sacraments and generally getting on with things as normal.

Having an evil Pope would not make Catholicism any less true, and so leaving it under such a case would still be a bad thing.

 

[MaeganFlinchum1]

The pope cannot make infallible doctrinal errors. If we were to get an evil Pope, ant-Christ or no (which is not to say that I think an anti-Christ pope is possible), the best bet would be to remain Catholic, remain true to the teachings of the Church, to know that the teachings of the Pope and Church as a whole are protected, and to continue receiving the sacraments and generally getting on with things as normal.

Having an evil Pope would not make Catholicism any less true, and so leaving it under such a case would still be a bad thing.

Just my 2 cents…(although i dont think tge pope will be the antichrist either) how could u stay catholic and follow the pope like a catholic does if he were the antichrist!?! (If were not suppised to follow the antichrist)

 

[jmcrae]

Just my 2 cents…(although i dont think tge pope will be the antichrist either) how could u stay catholic and follow the pope like a catholic does if he were the antichrist!?! (If were not suppised to follow the antichrist)

It would be impossible for the Pope to be the Anti-Christ, since he is the Vicar of Christ. It would not be possible to be both at the same time.

The “Anti-Christ” is any person who denies the existence of Christ or the divinity of Christ - it has nothing to do with the End Times, and very little to do with the Pope.

 

[MaeganFlinchum1]

It would be impossible for the Pope to be the Anti-Christ, since he is the Vicar of Christ. It would not be possible to be both at the same time.

The “Anti-Christ” is any person who denies the existence of Christ or the divinity of Christ - it has nothing to do with the End Times, and very little to do with the Pope.

Ok thanks!!

 

[scrupulousGirl]

Ok that helps. But one thing: so if a catholic thought the pope was the antichrist (maybe out pf ignorance) is it a grave sin? Could they be excommunicated??? Please answer this!

 

[jmcrae]

Ok that helps. But one thing: so if a catholic thought the pope was the antichrist (maybe out pf ignorance) is it a grave sin? Could they be excommunicated??? Please answer this!

The sin would be the sin of failing to educate oneself about the nature of the Pope, and about what is possible and what is not possible, since the only way a person would think the Pope is the Anti-Christ, is if they have no clue who or what the Pope really is - which is very unlikely for a good Catholic.

Another possibility is if the person has some kind of learning disability or mental illness that caused them to become confused, and this would not be a sin at all, since an illness - even a mental illness - is not a sin.

 

[scrupulousGirl]

The sin would be the sin of failing to educate oneself about the nature of the Pope, and about what is possible and what is not possible, since the only way a person would think the Pope is the Anti-Christ, is if they have no clue who or what the Pope really is - which is very unlikely for a good Catholic.

Another possibility is if the person has some kind of learning disability or mental illness that caused them to become confused, and this would not be a sin at all, since an illness - even a mental illness - is not a sin.

What about the excommunicate part?

 

[scrupulousGirl]

And if a pope is the vicar of christ, then how could a pope ever be evil???

 

[jmcrae]

What about the excommunicate part?

I have no idea, but I seriously doubt that someone would be excommunicated for it, since they would have to be either very confused (ie: mentally ill), or very poorly educated.

It would be very important for the person to get straightened out on who the Pope really is, but I really can’t imagine the person being excommunicated, unless they decided to physically attack the Pope - but then they would be excommunicated for laying violent hands on the Pope.

 

[scrupulousGirl]

I have no idea, but I seriously doubt that someone would be excommunicated for it, since they would have to be either very confused (ie: mentally ill), or very poorly educated.

It would be very important for the person to get straightened out on who the Pope really is, but I really can’t imagine the person being excommunicated, unless they decided to physically attack the Pope - but then they would be excommunicated for laying violent hands on the Pope.

You’ve been very helpful! Also if the pope is the vicar of Jesus…then how can their have ever beenn a bad pope? I know all people are sinners but wouldnt that be contrary to the nature of the pope?

 

[LilyM]

And if a pope is the vicar of christ, then how could a pope ever be evil???

You’ve been very helpful! Also if the pope is the vicar of Jesus…then how can their have ever beenn a bad pope? I know all people are sinners but wouldnt that be contrary to the nature of the pope?

No - there can be bad popes and priests just there were Apostles who at least at times sinned. Think Peter with his denial and Paul with his persecution. Christ honoured and worked strongly through them in spite of their weaknesses.

Think about it - every human apart from Our Lady and Our Lord is a sinner, so whoever was chosen, Our Lord would have to work around his faults and failings.

 

[jmcrae]

You’ve been very helpful! Also if the pope is the vicar of Jesus…then how can their have ever beenn a bad pope? I know all people are sinners but wouldnt that be contrary to the nature of the pope?

Outside of his duties as Pope, he retains his free will and he can choose to do bad things. The bad things he does can’t harm the Church, but they can harm himself and individual other people, just like when you or I commit sin.

Being Pope means that he is prevented from teaching incorrectly, and from doing anything that would do permanent harm to the Church, but he is not protected from committing personal sin on his own time.

We once had a Pope who went out to bars and got into fights. We had another Pope who didn’t keep his vow of chastity and had a child out of wedlock.

Neither of these Popes ever taught anything contrary to the Catholic faith, and both of them had to go to Confession for their sins just like everyone else.