Catholic Church claims that the first Pope - St. Peter - took power from the hands of Jesus Christ.Since continuously, eighteen days after the death of the previous one, is elected the next governor of the Earth God.Pope in Catholicism is considered the head of the whole church.He is elected by the conclave - Meeting of the Cardinals - for life.He is high honors.Before the ascension to the throne of the pope performed bloodless sacrifice.Then he puts on a special headpiece - a tiara.This is not an ordinary bishop's miter and the crown, consisting of three teeth in a sign that the pope is now receiving power in the world beyond the grave, and the earthly church.His special status of church tradition justifies their inheritance of power from the Apostle Peter, and hence Christ.In addition, the Pope is also the head of the Vatican - the state, which occupies the territory of Rome, a small area (44 hectares) and enter into diplomatic relations with almost all countries of the world.This contributed to the independence of the Western bishops (as opposed to east) from the secular authorities.
notion that only the church can give power of state governors, began to form after the fall of the Western Roman Empire territory.Each successive Pope pursued its policy.Under the noble excuse - the liberation of the Holy Sepulchre - he organized and led military campaigns.And in I tenth century Pope John VIII to supplement the rules of the Catholic Church to decide on the authorization or prohibition of the coronation of rulers, and even the right to take their crown.
Discrepancies between the two churches (Eastern and Western) is increasing every year.VII Ecumenical Council, convened in 787, only increased the friction.And they were linked not only with questions of ideology and dogmas of the church as most people think the uninitiated, but also with political causes.The fact is that while the Byzantine Empire carried out a successful expansion on the Apennine peninsula.Naturally, the rulers of Rome strongly opposed to this.The starting point was a conflict provoked in 862-870 years Michael III.He deposed Ignatius, Patriarch of Constantinople, and in its place put Photios, a secular person, not having any relation to the world church.It is not pleasant to Nicholas I, Pope.Subsequently this conflict has not resulted long confrontation, but also not completely subsided.The sharpening of contradictions occurred in 1054.It ended with the official and final separation of the two churches in the Christian world.
Since then appeared at the reverse side of the papacy.Along with the growth of its prestige and influence policy grew and backstage struggle and intrigue among the cardinals who are interested in who will be in power.There was a period in the life of the church, when the priesthood given only to have an impact on policy in the secular rulers.Pope came to replace each other, even before the death of the predecessor.Often the candidate who had previously been overthrown, he managed to regain his throne.Indicative case when Pope Benedict IX century I century X the right to post more than once restored.Moreover, another candidate he himself had sold the throne.
Over the next centuries, the papacy many times revived and falls into disrepair, commit mistakes and deeds.On crimes of the Catholic Church more became known only after the conquest of European countries by Napoleon: in these areas, he abolished the Inquisition.
And just today, John Paul II publicly apologized for the crimes committed by the Catholic Church in the history of its existence.It was this Pope reformed the structure of the church, has developed a modern version of the function and social role of the Church.He repeatedly urged the clergy not to participate in the activities of politicians.The main mission of the Church, John Paul II saw in the liberation of the world from the conflict, but not by political means, and with the gospel ministry to all mankind, in the spiritual ministry.
