In 2013, on March 13, a new pope named Francis was elected, who became the 266th head of the Catholic world and the first pope from the Jesuit Order and from the New World. And already at the end of August 2014, Francis, the Pope, told reporters that due to health problems he might abdicate the throne. He then embarked on a reform that simplified the process of declaring a marriage invalid.
In February 2016, a grandiose event took place in the Christian world - at Havana airport, Pope Francis met with Russian Patriarch Kirill. This was the first meeting of this level in the entire history of the Catholic and Orthodox churches.
Interview
One day close attention The public was attracted by the pontiff's statements in an interview with the famous correspondent of the Italian publishing house La Repubblica Eugenio Scalfari, where the pope touched upon such sensitive topics in the Catholic Church as pedophilia, the problem of celibacy (mandatory celibacy in the clergy) and involvement in the mafia. Regarding celibacy, the pope promised to solve this painful problem for Catholic priests.
But speaking about pedophilia, Francis - the Pope - clearly emphasized that this shame is now in our home, this is a “leprosy” that has struck the church. According to the data presented, 2% of pedophiles are priests, and among them there are bishops and cardinals. Many people know about this, but prefer to remain silent. It is this problem that the pontiff has vowed to approach with all the seriousness and severity it deserves.
Further, regarding the mafia, dad noted that our exposure in this matter will be constant. Once, during a pastoral visit to Calabria (Italy), he excommunicated a mafioso. Francis said that he knows that the same mafiosi also go to church and receive communion, and therefore noted that the mercy of our Lord is limitless, but will never fall into a trap.
Revolutionary
Regarding the newly elected American President Donald Trump, Francis - the Pope - said that he does not want to evaluate people and politicians, because he wants to understand the suffering that they bring to all the disadvantaged and outcast, and he will evaluate the work of the American President by his attitude towards refugees and emigrants. After all, they face hostility and aggression from people who are worried and afraid of losing their jobs. The pope believes the problem reflects an unjust global economic system, where money works against refugees and immigrants and where the poor in rich countries fear the arrival of their fellow sufferers from poor countries. Therefore the only thing the right decision will break this wall that separates them all.
But as it became known, Trump is preparing to sign several anti-immigrant bills, and among them is a significant restriction on refugees.
Inequality
In addition, Francis - the Pope - believes that inequality is the greatest evil existing in the world. The reason for this is money, and this is precisely what goes against the necessary measures that will promote equality.
Journalist Scalfari noted that such statements by the pontiff are close to Marxism, but Pope Francis said that it is precisely the communists who think like Christians. As a result, Scalfari wrote that Francis behaves like a revolutionary, but all this goes beyond the scope of revolution.
Pope Francis: photo, biography
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936 in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. His father, Mario Giuseppe Bergoglio, was an Italian immigrant, a laborer railway. The mother's name was Regina Maria Sivori. He became the fifth child in the family and, having studied to become a chemical engineer, went to study at the Villa Devoto Seminary in Buenos Aires. In 1958 he joined the Jesuit Order. The future pope completed his novitiate in Chile, then furthered his education in Buenos Aires, at the College of St. Joseph, and became the holder of a licentiate degree in philosophy. The Pontiff speaks three languages: Spanish, Italian and German.
The last Pope Francis is a big fan of Argentine football and is a fan of the San Lorenzo team.
Francis himself admitted that shortly before the start of his ministry, he worked part-time as a security guard at a nightclub, and was also a laboratory assistant and cleaner. When he was elected pope, white smoke coming from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on the second day announced that the decision had been finally made. Bergoglio was the only Jesuit among the cardinal electors, and he was not among the favorites. However, in 2005, as it turned out, it was he who was the main competitor of Pope Benedict XVI, who in 2013 abdicated his post as head of the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Bergoglio
In May 1992, Bergoglio became the so-called auxiliary bishop of the Argentine capital, and in June 1992 he was consecrated bishop by Cardinal Antonio Quarracino.
In February 2001, at the Vatican, John Paul II himself (then the head of the Catholics) ordained him a cardinal, and he received several administrative positions in the Roman Curia.
Theologian
Cardinal Bergoglio was distinguished by modesty and doctrinal conservatism, as well as dedication to the cause of social justice. Once upon a time he lived in a small apartment that did not at all resemble the archbishop's palace, dressed quite modestly, did not use a limousine with a driver, choosing public transport, and even prepared food for himself.
The Pontiff is an excellent theologian who immediately distanced himself from “liberation theology.” In his worldview, he is close to the Catholic intra-church movement called Comunione e Liberazione, founded in the 1950s by the priest Luigi Giussiani.
Cardinal Bergoglio called on his clergy and laity to actively oppose abortion and euthanasia. He accepts church teaching and condemns homosexuality, and in 2010 the pope opposed a law allowing same-sex marriage in Argentina. However, he believes that it is necessary to show respect for sexual minorities.
Pope Francis: The Last Christmas
I would like to remind you that in 2015 the Pontiff made a very gloomy statement that this Christmas could be the last for all people. The chaotic state of the world, famine and destruction herald the beginning of the "end time", and perhaps next year it will become unrecognizable. A little earlier, he announced the beginning of the third world war.
At the end of 2016, wishing peace to countries where there is war, and mentioning Syria and Ukraine, Pope Francis (Christmas as a holiday of love and goodness contributed greatly to this) called on international communities to make every effort to peacefully resolve conflicts. The Pontiff called for urgent assistance to the residents of Aleppo, wished peace to the Palestinians, Israelis, residents of various African regions, as well as the people of the entire planet.
The Vatican has promised to send humanitarian aid to eastern Ukraine in the amount of 6 million euros.
City of Rome, visible head of the Roman Catholic Church, supreme ruler of the Vatican State.
Ti-tul “pa-pa” in the early Christian era was applied in relation to all bishops and you-ra- reaped special respect (in relation to the Roman episcopate, it was first encountered at the beginning of the 3rd century at Ter-tul-lian). Later, he became attached only to the bishop of Ri-ma and Alek-san-d-rii. Modern official ti-tu-la-tu-ra Pope of Rome: Bishop of Rome, Vi-ka-riy of Jesus Christ, successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Ver. -khov-ny pon-ti-fik of the All-Len-Church-vi, prima-mas of Italy, arch-hi-bishop-skop and mi-tro-po-lit of the Roman region-las-ti, su-ve -ren of the state of Va-ti-kan, slave of the slaves of their God.
Rome, from the very beginning of the Christian Church, played a large role in her life. No other Western Church, except the Roman one, had such an apostolic pro-existence, while on In fact, there were many apostolic cathedrals (for example, those founded by the Apostle Paul in Asia Minor and Greece). The Roman Church actively taught in the life of other departments through ad-re-co-van-nyh messages to them on various in-pro-sama (for example, due to disputes about the day of Easter celebration, mid-2nd century, due to the issue of re-crea-schi-va- niya here-ti-kov, mid-3rd century) and used their car. In the era of the All-len-councils (IV-VIII centuries), the position of the Roman cathedral was even more uk-re-pi-lis, since the Popes of Rome you-stu -pa-li against-tiv-ni-ka-mi here-tical teachings: ari-an-st-va (which many bar-var-skie ple-men still BC to the Roman Empire), mo-no-fi-zit-st-va, mo-no-fe-lit-st-va, iko-no-bor-che-st -va, not os-ta-nav-li-va-ya even before the temporary discord with the eastern churches. This gained the Roman throne the glory of op-lo-ta right-gloriousness. After the IV All-Lena Council (451), a system of 5 pat-ri-ar-ha-tov - croup - was formed in the All-Len Church -the largest and most autonomous departments (Roman, Kon-stan-ti-no-Polish, Alek-san-d-riy-skaya, An -ti-okhiy-skaya and Ie-ru-sa-lim-skaya), to the pre-standers of whom, from the 6th century, it began to be regularly applied -tul pat-ri-ar-ha (from the official ti-tu-la-tu-ry of the Pope ti-tul pat-ri-ar-ha Za-pa-da is-key-chen in 2006, one-on -ko is stored in the Latin sub-pi-si “P. P.” - “Pa-pa and Pat-ri-arch”).
At the same time, in the Roman Church, the doctrine of the primacy of the Pope as the supreme head of all Christ gradually developed -an-sky Church, but-si-te-la of the highest juris-diction and av-to-ri-te-ta in matters of faith and Christianity mo-ra-li. Connected with this teaching is the formation of a special religious teaching system. Based on the interpretation of individual passages of the Holy Scripture (Matt. 16:16-19, Luke 22:32, John 21:15- 17, 2 Cor. 11:28 and others) the doctrine of the papal primacy at the presentation of the primacy in the Church Apostle Peter, who in Western tradition is considered the first bishop of Rome; Dads, like the successors of the Apostle Peter in the Roman cathedral, inherit from him this first place. The Council of Rome in 378 op-re-de-lilled the principle of not being subject to the court of popes of secular power and expanded the judicial power of the episcopate. on all bishops of Rome, the Council of Rome in 382 for the first time declared the primacy of the episcopate of Rome by from-no-she-niu to the apostolic ca-fed-rams of Vos-ka. In the 5th century, Pope Leo I the Great was the brightest figure in the teaching about the papal primacy. The Council of Rome in 494 for the first time called the Pope “in the place of Christ” (vicarius Christi). In the East, the doctrine of the primacy of the Pope was not accepted in its entirety, but it also did not settle down to op- re-de-len-no-go time-me-ni.
Gradually, the Popes began to pretend to be the highest sue-ze-re-ni-tet in Europe on the basis of the sub-del- no-go do-ku-men-ta in the form of the imperial constitution - “Kon-stan-ti-no-va da-ra” (VIII-IX centuries). A special impulse of political pri-ty-za-nii popes po-lu-chi-li after “Pi-pi-no-va da-ra” (mid-8th century), some -Rym Frankish may-or-dom Pi-pin Ko-rot-ky gave the Pope the power of secular pra-vi-te-leys on the ot-vo-van-nyh of the lan-go-bar-ds lands - future Papal region.
Os-lab-le-nie of Byzantium due to internal turmoil and pro-ti-vo-chiy, Arab (VII-VIII centuries) and Turkic (XI centuries) for- military way of the Pope's active desire to spread his power in the East, which is -lo to co-per-ni-che-st-vu with eastern pat-ri-ar-ha-ta-mi (for example, fight-ba pa-py Ni-ko-laya I and pat-ri-ar-ha Kon-stan-ti-no-pol-sko-go Fo-tia because of the church juris-diction over Bol-ga-ri-ya and pri-ori-te-ta in mis-sio- ner-sky activity among the Slav-pagans) and as a result - to the division of the church.
During the period of struggle with them-per-ra-to-ra-mi of the Holy Roman Empire (XI-XIII centuries), the Popes pre-ten-do-va-li on the highest secular power in all Christian lands, which was the same in the course of the Greek reform and in the activities of Pope Gregory VII. Cross-movements, taking the cross-nos-tsa-mi Kon-stan-tino-po-la (1204), introduction of in-qui-zi-tion (two after-them events under Pope In-no-ken-tiya III) oz-na-me-no-va-li the peak of strengthening of secular and spiritual power -sti of the Pope. IN XIII-XV centuries, especially during the stand-up of the fight against the movement, Avin-on-the captivity of the popes, Veli- What a schiz-we, the efforts of the Pope were right to retain the influence he had achieved.
Important things in the history of the papacy are Re-formation and pro-tification for it Roman Church-view Counter-re-formation, one of the key events of which was the Tridentine with -bor (1545-1563), especially you-de-liv-shiy papal pre-ro-ga-ti-you, in particular the fact that the auto-ri-tet of the Pope Rimsky above av-to-ri-te-ta ly-bo-go so-bo-ra. The doctrine of the papal primacy in the ka-che-st-ve dog-ma-ta ka-li-tsiz-ma was about-voz-gla-she-but Va-ti- Kan-sky I co-bor (1869-1870) in the dog-ma-tical constitution “Pas-tor Aeternus”. The same con-sti-tu-tsi-ey pro-voz-has the dog-mat about the error-free Pope in the most important official su-zh-de-ni-yah ( ex cat-hedra) in terms of faith and morality (in other cases, the Pope’s words are not new) this is obligatory for the ha-rak-te-ra; the dogma does not under-ra-zu-me-va-et the personal sin-lessness of the father).
As a result of many evolutions, the Catholic teaching about the Pope took the following form. Jesus Christ made the Apostle Peter prince (Latin princeps) of the apostles; Peter is the founder of the Christian Church, vi-di-my its head and the beginning of its unity. He alone received power (potestas) directly from Christ, and not through the Church. He is the vice-regent of Christ, who has accepted all the fullness of power, and not just the primacy of honor; The apostles took power not without Peter and not against Peter, they were subordinate to him, and even the Apostle Paul was not his servant. veins The Apostle Peter was the first bishop of Rome, which is why the Pope is the full-power successor of the Apostle Peter. From here the name of the papal cathedral as “the apostle of such a throne”, “the throne of St. Peter” and the like . Pet-ro-vo pre-em-st-vo is not based on all-len-sky councils on-sta-nov-le-ni-yah. The unity of the Church is that the “hundred before Christ”, by virtue of communion with the Pope, has one shepherd and according to his faith. Recognition of such a first-ven-st-va of the Pope is not-about-ho-di-mo for a spa; not po-vi-nu-shy-sya pa-pe - schiz-ma-tik. The Pope has non-medial episcopal jurisdiction over the entire Church. This is the supreme power in matters of doctrine and morality, dis-ci-p-li-ny and governance. According to the newness of the Pope, there is no need to be in additional agreement with the Church in order to not be false, since they express the very essence of the church faith and are the voice of the Church.
The Pope has supreme legislative, administrative and judicial power. Bu-du-chi of the supreme court in-stan-tsi-ey, the Pope receives appeals from all the faithful; his decision is not subject to re-examination in any other authority. The Pope himself is not subject to anyone's judgment, he has power over his fellow men. He is the supreme teacher of the Church, himself the op-re-de-la-shay of the generally binding religious teachings and gender -but-might-but-inter-pre-ti-ru-t-ti-bor-nye-sta-nov-le-tions, but can-act and as a frequent a teacher, for example, supporting one of the pre-emptive opinions of any theological school (theological faculties , the mo-na-she-or-de-nas of the ka-li-kovs have the right to private documents on dis-kus-si-on-nym vo- pro-himself).
Trak-tue-in such a way the power of the Pope was os-pa-ri-va-la-to-glorify-us, pro-tes-tan-ta-mi and even members on-my very Roman-ka-lich-chur-vi (co-bor-movement, gal-li-kan-st-vo) in various as-pec-ts (Holy- Puppy Pi-sa-nie, Sacred Pre-da-nie, ka-no-no-ka, church is-to-ria). Va-ti-kan II Council (1962-1965) of the Roman Catholic Church, preserving the inexhaustible doctrine of the first - the position of the Pope in the Universal Church, along with this, gave special significance to the principle of the episcopal college -al-no-sti, within the framework of which the Roman pon-ti-fic carries out his first-highest service. In agreement with the co-bo-rum of the dog-ma-tiche-sti-tu-tion “Lumen Gentium”, the college of bishops ob-la-da-et unas -le-before-van-noy from the apo-sto-lovs full of power in the Church and without error in the exposition of the doctrine of the re and morality, one obligatory condition of the implementation of these pre-ro-ga-tiv is a co-gla -this and unity with the Pope.
IN beginning of XXI centuries, most of the divine-words of all Christian denominations recognize the Catholic teaching about the Pope as the main precept -we are on the path of restoring the unity of the Roman Church with other churches.
The secular power of the Pope, which currently does not operate in the state of Va-ti-kan (the right-to-pre-e-m-ka of the Papal Region), is important as ga-ran-tiya of his not-for-vi-si-mo-sti from any human power. In the inter-people's law, due to the simultaneous rule of the Pope, the functions of power are not divided - as vi-di- my head of the Roman Church and as the su-ve-re-na of the state of Va-ti-kan - he is the su-ve-ren-noy per -with-its-exclusive property (persona sui generis). The full su-ve-re-ni-tet of the Pope is kept behind him outside the vi-si-mo-sti of the presence of ter-ri-to-ri-al - of the authorities.
In the election of the new Pope after the death (or abdication) of the previous pon-ti-fi-ka, in agreement with the pra-vi-lu , ut-ver-div-she-mu-sya since the time of the Gri-go-ri-an-re-form of the 11th century, only card-di can take part -na-ly, gathered at the con-la-ve. Since the end of the 14th century, the Pope has not been one of the kar-di-na-lovs. According to the Ko-dek-su of the ka-no-right, he can renounce the service of his own free will without co-ordination in-le-niya from someone's side.
After the abdication of Benedict XVI, who occupied the papacy for 8 years, from the rank of Pope came into force on the last day of February 2013 (for the first time in 600 years!), the question arose of appointing a new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Traditions of electing a pontiff
According to the canons of the Catholic Church, the period of time between the abdication of the current Pope from the throne (and often from the moment of his death) until the election of a new one is called Sede Vacante.
Usually this period does not exceed 20 days (in the 20th century there was not a single case with a longer period of time). However, the then-incumbent Pope in 1996 adopted an apostolic constitution called Universi Dominici Gregis, which adjusted the process of electing the Roman pontiff. According to the document, a conclave cannot be convened earlier than 15 and later than 20 days from the moment the throne is declared vacant. No more than 120 cardinals under the age of 80 can take part in the vote. The final election of the Pope is considered valid if one of the candidates wins two-thirds of the votes, but no more than 4 votes can be held per day.
Francis - Pope: how it happened
On the eve of the election of the new Pope, on February 25, Benedict XVI made changes to the statutes to speed up the election of a successor, and on March 4, a meeting of members of the General Congregation of Cardinals was held in the Vatican, as a result of which a date was set for voting for a new pontiff.
On March 12, 2013, in the world-famous place where voting traditionally takes place, a conclave of 115 cardinals gathered, the purpose of which was to elect the post of Pope. The abdicated throne did not take part in the meeting, which lasted 2 days.
On the first day, the conclave failed to elect a new Pope, and as a sign of this, black smoke came out of the chapel chimney. The second vote also did not determine Benedict XVI's successor, and again the pilgrims saw black smoke. The next day, the vote gave a positive result, and at 19:05 white smoke appeared from the chimney - evidence of a successfully completed vote.
At 20:05, the parishioners heard from Cardinal Protodeacon Jean-Louis Tauran the traditional phrase on such occasions: Habemus papam (which translated means “we have a Pope”). He proclaimed 76-year-old Jorge Maria Bergoglio Vicar of Christ. After this, Francis, the Pope of Rome, who took his name in honor of his beloved Saint Francis of Assisi, came out onto the balcony. In addition, adherents of Franciscanism profess the covenants of goodness and brotherhood, which was also adhered to by Jorge Maria Bergoglio. He was the first representative of the New World, or more precisely, Argentina, in the history of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis: biography
Again elected head was born in December 1936 to Italian immigrants living in Buenos Aires. Despite his origins (Jorge Mario came from a working-class family), he dedicated his life to serving the Lord.
He first studied chemistry at one of the universities in Buenos Aires, and then studied at the seminary in Villa Devoto. Upon completion of his studies, in 1958, Bergoglio joined the ranks of the Jesuits. At the age of 33, the future Pope Francis was ordained. Jorge Mario's main occupation was teaching theology, philosophy and literature at the university. In the 1970s, the current Pope Francis 1, having impressed the leaders of the Jesuit Society with his activities, became provincial of Argentina, and in the 1980s received the post of rector of the Seminary of St. Joseph.
Francis' career
Moving higher and higher career ladder, in 1992 Bergoglio was appointed auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires and later consecrated bishop.
The dedication ceremony took place in the city's cathedral. Jorge Mario received the title from Cardinal Antonio Quarracino.
1998 brought Bergoglio a new title - this time he received the title of Archbishop of Buenos Aires, and after 3 years he was elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II himself.
In the 2005 elections, the name of Jorge Mario Bergoglio appeared on the so-called “papabile” - the list of main contenders for the papal throne. However, the choice fell on Benedict XVI.
Francis, the Pope, is known as a multifaceted man with a comprehensive conservative education. In addition to Spanish, he is fluent in German and Italian. The pontiff is known for speaking out against the legalization of euthanasia, abortion, marriages between supporters of sexual minorities and the adoption of children by such couples. This is the first Jesuit to head the papacy.
What is he like, the new pontiff?
Francis, the Pope, leads a modest lifestyle.
While living in hometown, even when he was already an archbishop, Bergoglio traveled to the temple by metro and lived in a modest one-room apartment.
After the invitation to Rome, he took only one suitcase, with which he began the journey to a new life.
Some astrologers and predictors claim that Francis is the last Pope, after whose death two Suns will appear in the sky and all living things will die. This is allegedly evidenced by some of the prophecies of Nostradamus. However, skeptics cast great doubt on such versions.
Date of Birth: December 17, 1936 A country: Vatican Biography:Having received the education of a chemical technologist, he decided to take holy orders and entered the seminary in the city of Villa Devoto.
Completed liberal arts education in Chile and in 1963, upon returning to Buenos Aires, received a degree in philosophy from the Seminary of St. Joseph in San Miguel County.
In 1964-1965 taught literature and psychology at the College of the Immaculate Virgin in Santa Fe, and in 1966 the same subjects at the University of El Salvador in Buenos Aires.
In 1967-1970 studied theology at the seminary of St. Joseph in San Miguel County, where he received his degree.
Having passed in 1970-1971. third monastic experience in Alcala de Henares (Spain), took perpetual vows on April 22, 1973.
On July 31, 1973, he was elected governor of the province of the Society of Jesus in Argentina and remained in this position for six years.
In 1980-1986 was dean of the philosophical and theological faculty of the seminary in the district of San Miguel and rector of the parish of St. Joseph the Betrothed in the diocese of San Miguel.
In March 1986 he went to Germany to complete his doctoral dissertation. Upon returning to Argentina, he was sent to the University of El Salvador and then to Cordoba, where he served as confessor.
On May 20, 1992, by decision of Pope John Paul II, he was appointed titular bishop of Auca, vicar of the diocese of Buenos Aires. On June 27 of the same year he was ordained bishop in the Cathedral of Buenos Aires.
On June 3, 1997, he was appointed coadjutor of the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. On February 28, 1998, after the death of the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Antonio Carracino succeeded him in the see.
From November 8, 2005 to November 8, 2011, he served as President of the Argentine Bishops' Conference.
On February 21, 2001, Pope John Paul II elevated him to the rank of cardinal with the title of "Saint Robert Bellarmine."
He headed the Bishops' Conference of Argentina from November 2005 to November 2011.
Before his election to the Papal See, he was a cardinal, member of the Society of Jesus, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Ordinary for Eastern Rite Catholics in Argentina, member of a number of congregations, the Pontifical Council for the Family and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
The official history of the papacy covers a period of 1,700 years. The papacy itself is not a purely religious institution. It would be more correct to call it political-religious. It unites 1 billion 300 million Catholics living in almost all countries of the world. Relies on bishops, of whom there are 4 thousand. In Catholicism there are three degrees of priesthood: deacon, priest and bishop.
There are also cardinals. These are clergy from deacons, priests and bishops. Depending on the priesthood, cardinals are divided into ranks and united in the College of Cardinals. She performs advisory functions with the pope and elects the next pope at the conclave. This system is streamlined, proven and highly effective. It is not for nothing that Catholicism is so popular in the world and unites a huge number of believers into a single confession.
Was the Apostle Peter the first pope?
The Catholic Church officially considers the Apostle Peter to be the first pope.. He is also considered the first bishop. It was this man who created the first Christian community in Rome after Christ was crucified. In '64 in " eternal city“A terrible fire broke out. The Romans believed that the culprit was Emperor Nero. He allegedly wanted to destroy Old city, and in its place build a new one and call it after itself.
To divert suspicion from himself, Nero blamed Christians for the arson. Members of the community were captured and thrown into prison. Peter was also arrested. He was crucified upside down, since the apostle considered that he had no right to be crucified like his teacher Christ. The Basilica of St. was subsequently erected on the site of the tragedy. Petra. This is the official version of Catholics.
Apostle Peter walking on water
However, the data historical facts are highly doubtful. The point is that Peter did not know Latin. And, therefore, he could not stand at the head of the Roman community. In Rome, people spoke precisely this language, and a disciple of Christ was born in Bethsaida of Galilee. This is an Israeli city in which the family of a simple fisherman Jonah lived.
The future first pope was born in it. He received the name Simon, but did not receive any education. This man could neither read nor write. But he knew how to listen, and Christ’s sermons made an indelible impression on him. It was the Son of God who named him Peter, but did not teach him the Latin language, as well as literacy.
Maybe a miracle happened and the apostle received the necessary knowledge in the blink of an eye? This is unlikely, since we all understand that if we are guided by miracles, we will not be able to objectively perceive history. Therefore, it is more reasonable to assume that Peter’s righteous activities in Rome are fiction.
Papacy from the time of Constantine to the present day
Emperor Constantine and Christianity
The persecution of Christians had no effect on the new religion. It took deep roots in people's souls. The long-awaited shoots appeared only during the reign of Emperor Constantine (306-337). He was an outstanding politician. He moved the capital of the Roman Empire to greek city Byzantium. Significantly expanded it and made it the center not only of the empire, but also of the Christian religion. Subsequently, the city began to be called Constantinople. It was under Constantine that Christians began to gain strength, and the first basilica was built in Rome in 324.
Before Constantine, bishops were considered the spiritual mentors of the flock. They all stayed in Rome. The formation of the papacy began under Bishop Sylvester. His whole life was distinguished by holiness, and this venerable man died in 335. After 2 years, Emperor Constantine also left for another world. But the grace-filled shoots that sprouted under him strengthened the church and made it an authoritative institution, which soon began to significantly influence political life states.
Papacy and power
The struggle for power within the Christian church flared up sharply in 366 under Damasus. He became bishop of Rome, expelling his rival from the city. In this case, about 200 Christians died, since any power requires sacrifices. It was Damasius who was the first to call himself pope and was on the church throne from 366 to 384.
His authority and influence reached such magnitude that the Roman Emperor Theodosius I (379-395) was forced to convene an Ecumenical Council in 381. The Council recognized the Bishop of Constantinople as second only to the Bishop of Rome and forbade the bishops to interfere in each other's affairs. Damasius died at the age of 84 and was canonized.
Actually, from the time of Damasus, the history of the papacy began its inevitable course. And before that there was a prelude, since the Christian religion was very weak and did not have the appropriate authority and weight.
In 753, Pope Stephen II (III), venerable in all respects, showed church and lay people a document allegedly signed by Emperor Constantine himself. It was written in black and white that the ruler transfers all power over the western part of the empire to the Pope, while he himself leaves the eastern part under his control. That is, it turned out that the rank of the pope corresponded to the rank of the emperor. Only in the 15th century did it become clear that this document was a fake.
In July 1054 there was a split in the Christian Church.. It was divided into Roman Catholic and Orthodox. The reason for this tragedy must be sought in the ritual and ethical differences between the Latins and Greeks. Contradictions had been brewing for many hundreds of years, and in the 11th century a denouement came. The Patriarch of Constantinople anathematized the papal legates, and in retaliation they took and excommunicated the Patriarch of Constantinople.
The clergy turned out to be very vindictive. They remembered the insults inflicted for 1000 years. Only in 1965 were the mutual anathemas lifted. But Catholics and Christians, naturally, did not become a single flock, although warmer relations were established between them.
Conflict between Pope Gregory VII and King Henry IV
In 1073, Pope Gregory VII took the papal throne. This most respectable man in all respects led the Catholic Church until 1085. His reign is notable for his conflict with the future Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV (1050-1106).
Gregory VII declared that the power of the pope was superior to that of the emperor. He arrogated to himself the right to depose European rulers. The German king Henry IV opposed this. He gathered the German bishops in 1076, and they declared the pope deposed.
Then the pontiff excommunicated the king from the church. The German princes, who had given an oath of allegiance to Henry IV, found themselves freed from it and rebelled. They began to prepare for the election of another Holy Roman Emperor.
The debunked monarch went through the Alps to the castle of Canossa, where at that time the head of the Catholic Church was located. In January 1077, he found himself under the walls of the fortress. Barefoot, dressed in a hair shirt, the king stood in the cold and waited for the papal decision. Gregory VII watched him from the window of the fortress tower. Only at the end of the third day did he forgive the daring autocrat and remove his penance.
Pornocracy
The history of the papacy is inextricably linked with popes and antipopes. The second are those who bore the sacred title illegally. They received it through bribes or other various cunning methods. A striking example Pornocracy can serve as anti-papacy. This is a whole historical period, which lasted several decades. It began with the accession to the papal throne of Sergius III (904-911).
He is considered the murderer of his two predecessors. He turned the papal court into a place of debauchery and theft. Got myself a 15 year old mistress named Marozia. She gave birth to new dads, and then killed them. By her order, 4 popes were killed. At the same time, shamelessness and corruption flourished in the holy of holies of the Catholic Church. Eventually, Marozia was arrested by one of her sons, imprisoned, where she died in 954.
In 955, Pope John XII, the grandson of Marozia, received papal power. He was in power for 8 years. But the situation has not changed in better side. Murder, incest and other immoral acts flourished again. Dad finished poorly. He was killed by a deceived husband who found his wife in the arms of the head of the Catholic Church. This is where the pornocracy ends.
The Pope and his flock
Papacy and money
Popes and antipopes changed, but the desire for absolute power continued. A serious attempt to establish ecclesiastical power over secular power was made by Pope Boniface VIII (1294-1303). On this sensitive issue he issued a bull. It said that the pope holds spiritual power in one hand, and secular power in the other.
But the head of Catholicism miscalculated. Period feudal fragmentation was ending. Royal power grew stronger. And the bull was met with hostility by European monarchs. King Philip IV of France was especially outraged by the papal claims. He initiated the convening of the Estates General. The members of this high assembly demanded that the pope appear before an ecclesiastical court. But the trial did not take place. This was prevented by the death of the pontiff.
After this incident, the ambitions of the popes diminished. They never again clearly laid claim to secular power. High-ranking holy fathers took up other matters. Starting from the 14th century, they began to absolve sins for money. The business turned out to be terribly profitable. Of course, officially such things were strictly prohibited. But it's official. There were many abuses. Naturally, they were carried out with tacit consent dad.
The Church, having forgiven the sinner his sins, gave him an official document - indulgence. That is, everything was arranged according to highest level. The sins of the dead were also forgiven. But here everything depended on the relatives. If they expressed a desire to pay, then the soul of the deceased, it must be understood, went to heaven. True, some far-sighted people discussed a similar procedure in their will. The Catholic Church also practiced issuing licenses to brothels. At the same time, the priestesses of love no longer worried about God's punishment. All sinful acts were forgiven to them in advance.
This whole bacchanalia continued until 1567, that is, more than 250 years. In 1566, Pope Pius V took the papal throne. And the church immediately felt a harsh master's hand. All the outrages that disgrace the work of God were put to an end. The new pope turned out to be a stern, tough man, a supporter of an ascetic lifestyle. He kicked out all the crooks, careerists and opportunists. He put things in order in financial and divine affairs. At the same time, the authority of the Catholic Church increased significantly.
Schism of the Catholic Church
But this did not save her from a split. The Catholic Church has accumulated too many sins over the past centuries. Here no pope could resist the emergence of Protestantism. Led religious reforms Martin Luther(1483-1546). He found many followers. As a result, all this resulted in religious wars that rocked Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries.
In the end, the Catholic Church came to terms with the new denomination. Currently, Protestants live all over the world, and their number numbers 1 billion people. They do not have a single center, unlike Catholics and Orthodox. All churches are united in church unions and enjoy equal rights.
View of the Vatican from above
Vatican and the election of the Pope
Today, the history of the papacy is associated with the Vatican. This is a city-state located on the territory of Rome. The Vatican is the seat of the head of the Roman Catholic Church. It has existed in its current form since February 1929.
It is in this place that the new dad conclave or meeting of cardinals. Elected for life. Until a new head of the church is elected, the duties of the pope are assigned to the camerlenge. This is the highest court position. It is very ancient, and originated in the 11th century. People will learn about the election of a new pontiff by a pillar white smoke which rises from the chimney Sistine Chapel. The elections themselves take place in a special room in the Vatican Palace. Until February 28, 2013, Benedict XVI was Pope. He was elected to this high post in April 2005.
On February 11, 2013, Benedict XVI announced his decision to abdicate the throne. It came into force on February 28, 2013 at 20:00 Rome time. The former pope retained the rank of cardinal, but did not take part in the conclave due to his venerable 80 years of age.
On March 13, 2013, the conclave elected a new pope. It was announced to the breathless world that Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio had become the head of the Catholic Church. He is Argentinean Italian roots. Born in Buenos Aires in 1936 into a working-class family. The newly elected pope took the name Francis in honor of Francis of Assisi. This is a saint who was compassionate and helped the sick and poor. The new head of the Vatican is a worthy candidate for a high post. May God and the sincere faith of Catholics protect him.