The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-21
POPES AND THEIR POWERS.
Interesting Facts Regarding the Head
of the Church Universal.

of the Church Universal.
Seattle CWash) Times.
The head of the Roman Catholic Church
of the world is called Pope-the name sig
nifying father, bishop-head of the church
For many centuries the name Pope was
confined to the bishop of Rome. but now
it means the head of the church universal.
The papal idea can be traced to remote
times. The supreme ecclesiastical primacy
was conceded by the Catholic Church to the
Roman bishop or Pope from remote an
tiquty.
Beginning with Peter, whose accession
occurred A. d. Al, and coming down to
Pope Leo XIII, whose accession took place
in ISIS. there has been an unbroken chain
extending over a period of 1852 years.
During this period, from Peter to Leo
XIII, lightweight Popes have reigned, av-
eraging twenty-one years to each reign.
Leo reigned twenty-five years, but Pope
Plus TX reigned from 1876 to 1878, a period
Of thirty-two years.
Pope Plus VII, however, assembled the
throne in 1890, and there have been five
Popes since, making six IN all In l03 years.
IL Will thus be observed that Pope Leo
AlII mas had an extraordinary reign, con-
sidering the fact that he was sixty-eight
years OF age when raised to the pontifcate.
1t goes without saying to the readers
ruled with greater urbanity and liberality,
at least In the last century, than the man
who has just laid down his earthly power
ana PAID the penalty pronounced against
all mankind.
: Touching the authority of the Pope it
may be said that he holds sway and juris-
oiction over the entire church body, in
ny1dually and collectively.
The Pope is the supreme teacher or doc
tor, and in this capacity is infallible when
speaking as such.
In 9th tIo
doctrine of faith to be held by the whole
church. is supposed to be incapable of error
Moreover. the Pope is the supreme legis-
iator IN the church and can interpret, modi-
~ and dispense in all matters of ecclesias-
tical law.
The Pope is the supreme Judge of the
faithful. whether members of the hierarchy
or laymen. and can hear and decide ali
major causes and appeals from lower trib-
unals.
The Pope is. the supreme administrator,
ana therefore has the power to watch over
the divine services and to appeal, remove
or transfer bishops.
The Pope is the supreme supervisor and
receives regularly reports and relations
from bishops and other chief ecclesiastical
authorities within the limits of their juris-
diction.
The universal ecclesiastical jurisdiction of
the Pope includes the right to send agents
to represent his person and authority be-
fore the churches, or even before the tenn
poral authorities.
his uutnOTlty Is vested In the Pope by
divine right, because he is the legitimate
successor of ST. Peter-and as such the
chief bishop of the Catholic world-the Wis
ible and ministerial head of the whole
church-whose invisible and eternal head Is
Jesus Christ.
The origin OF the temporary power of the
Pope occurred in the sixth century under
Gregory the Great.
National religious feelings contributed to
its growth in the first half of the eighth
century-and in the latter half of that CEN
fury the papacy entered the list of European
states by the formal donations of Pepin
and Charlemagne.
Under various forms and with varying
boundaries the papal states existed through
the middle ages as a legitimate growth
and their pacific possession through twelve
centuries was not seriously disputed in the
propagation of Christian faith and culture.
The violent usurpation of Napoleon L was
undone by the Congress Of Vienna in 1915.
In 1860 the Piedmontese government en-
croached on the states of the church, and
in 1870 they were incorporated into the king
dom of Italy.
Nevertheless, the Pope has never recog-
nized that fact, nor accepted the guaran-
tees by which the Italian kingdom under
took to regulate its eternal relations with
the papacy.
The ordinary administration of the papal
authority is carried on through the body
of officials ana agents whom the Pope en-
ploys in his government
When the Pope passes away his successor
must be Immediately chosen.