Everything Everywhere Daily That New Pope Smell
Sep 2, 2020
Explore the fascinating history of the Roman Catholic Papacy, featuring insights into its 266 popes and anti-popes. Discover the intricate process of selecting a new pope, blending religion with political authority. Learn how the method of papal elections has evolved over time, from early Christian consensus to the modern conclave system. Uncover the challenges of documenting leadership changes that date back to St. Peter and the careful measures taken to ensure the integrity of this ancient institution.
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Bishop Of Rome Is The Official Title
- The Bishop of Rome is the official title; 'Pope' is an informal name used in many languages.
- Early selection lacked codified rules and evolved as Christianity grew and emperors intervened.
St. Peter And Early Succession
- Tradition says St. Peter was the first Bishop of Rome and possibly hand-selected successors like Linus and Cletus.
- Records from the early underground church are poor, so the exact selection methods remain uncertain.
Cardinals Took Over Papal Elections
- In 1059 Pope Nicholas II limited papal elections to cardinals to reduce external political meddling.
- That reform aimed to insulate the selection from secular rulers but did not fully prevent interference.
