Catholics don't believe that the pope is a divine being. However, the teaching of papal infallibility says that the Holy Spirit will protect the Pope from error when defining an article of faith intending to bind all the faithful.

For the Holy Spirit was promised to the successors of Peter not so that they might, by his revelation, make known some new doctrine, but that, by his assistance, they might religiously guard and faithfully expound the revelation or deposit of faith transmitted by the apostles. Indeed, their apostolic teaching was embraced by all the venerable fathers and reverenced and followed by all the holy orthodox doctors, for they knew very well that this See of St. Peter always remains unblemished by any error, in accordance with the divine promise of our Lord and Savior to the prince of his disciples: "I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren." - Pastor Aeternus.

Of course we believe the Pope is human and can make mistakes, but not when he intends to bind all the faithful to believe in an article of faith. For example, Pope John Paul II teaching that the Church has no power to ordain women. Or Pope Pius XII defining the dogma of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, which is not a new teaching but has always been believed by the Church for ages.

okay cool thanks...  so its just a fore figure for Catholics then ?

Catholics don't believe that the pope is a divine being. However, the teaching of papal infallibility says that the Holy Spirit will protect the Pope from error when defining an article of faith intending to bind all the faithful.

For the Holy Spirit was promised to the successors of Peter not so that they might, by his revelation, make known some new doctrine, but that, by his assistance, they might religiously guard and faithfully expound the revelation or deposit of faith transmitted by the apostles. Indeed, their apostolic teaching was embraced by all the venerable fathers and reverenced and followed by all the holy orthodox doctors, for they knew very well that this See of St. Peter always remains unblemished by any error, in accordance with the divine promise of our Lord and Savior to the prince of his disciples: "I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren." - Pastor Aeternus.

Of course we believe the Pope is human and can make mistakes, but not when he intends to bind all the faithful to believe in an article of faith. For example, Pope John Paul II teaching that the Church has no power to ordain women. Or Pope Pius XII defining the dogma of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, which is not a new teaching but has always been believed by the Church for ages.

okay cool thanks...  so its just a fore figure for Catholics then ?

For the record, the Pope's infallibility only extends to 'ex-Cathedra', i.e. he needs to be sitting in the chair of St. Peter in the Cathedral when pronouncing doctrine.

His pronunciations must be based on Church documents, encyclicals, papal bulls, and especially the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In addition, the college of Cardinals and Synods must be held before these pronunciation are made. And always, all these must be related to matters of Christian / Catholic faith.

Outside of that circumstance, he can still be subject to human error.

Ermm....ex-Cathedra is the Latin meaning from the chair, but it doesn't necessarily mean he needs to be actually sitting down on his throne.

It is not correct to say that he must consult the college of Cardinals and Synods before pronouncing anything infallibly. The power of the Pope is even above that of Ecumenical Councils, Cardinals, Synods. It just needs to be related to matters of faith and morals and in accordance with the the constant Tradition of the Church or Scripture.

That is true, he can make pronunciations solo, that is his right, however if the pope were to announce that tomorrow day is night and night is day, everyone would not be obligated to listen to him.

... but as a matter of Sacred Tradition, that is Tradition with a capital "T", such pronunciations are made from the Chair, with counsel from the College of Cardinals and Synods.

Yes but if he defines tomorrow day is night and night is day, that is not related to faith and morals.

Ermm....ex-Cathedra is the Latin meaning from the chair, but it doesn't necessarily mean he needs to be actually sitting down on his throne.

It is not correct to say that he must consult the college of Cardinals and Synods before pronouncing anything infallibly. The power of the Pope is even above that of Ecumenical Councils, Cardinals, Synods. It just needs to be related to matters of faith and morals and in accordance with the the constant Tradition of the Church or Scripture.

See The Pope

Picture of Pius XII defining the Assumption of Mary:


Picture of Pius IX defining the Immaculate Conception:

Oooh ...  I like the second painting ... who is the artist???

No idea, I just grabbed it from Google image lol...

hahaha! no worries ... still cool!      

Catholics don't believe that the pope is a divine being. However, the teaching of papal infallibility says that the Holy Spirit will protect the Pope from error when defining an article of faith intending to bind all the faithful.

For the Holy Spirit was promised to the successors of Peter not so that they might, by his revelation, make known some new doctrine, but that, by his assistance, they might religiously guard and faithfully expound the revelation or deposit of faith transmitted by the apostles. Indeed, their apostolic teaching was embraced by all the venerable fathers and reverenced and followed by all the holy orthodox doctors, for they knew very well that this See of St. Peter always remains unblemished by any error, in accordance with the divine promise of our Lord and Savior to the prince of his disciples: "I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren." - Pastor Aeternus.

Of course we believe the Pope is human and can make mistakes, but not when he intends to bind all the faithful to believe in an article of faith. For example, Pope John Paul II teaching that the Church has no power to ordain women. Or Pope Pius XII defining the dogma of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, which is not a new teaching but has always been believed by the Church for ages.

For the record, the Pope's infallibility only extends to 'ex-Cathedra', i.e. he needs to be sitting in the chair of St. Peter in the Cathedral when pronouncing doctrine.

His pronunciations must be based on Church documents, encyclicals, papal bulls, and especially the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In addition, the college of Cardinals and Synods must be held before these pronunciation are made. And always, all these must be related to matters of Christian / Catholic faith.

Outside of that circumstance, he can still be subject to human error.

Ermm....ex-Cathedra is the Latin meaning from the chair, but it doesn't necessarily mean he needs to be actually sitting down on his throne.

It is not correct to say that he must consult the college of Cardinals and Synods before pronouncing anything infallibly. The power of the Pope is even above that of Ecumenical Councils, Cardinals, Synods. It just needs to be related to matters of faith and morals and in accordance with the the constant Tradition of the Church or Scripture.

See The Pope

Picture of Pius XII defining the Assumption of Mary:


Picture of Pius IX defining the Immaculate Conception:

may i ask ... If Pope declares war against something else (i mean war using guns and tanks)... His decision are considered righteous correct ?

You think the present Pope still have a big territories (Papal States) and army now? LOL....

If you are referring to the First Crusades preached by Urban II, then it was a response to the Muslim invasion and occupation of Jerusalem and the harassment of  pilgrims going to the Holy Places.

Also this is not part of faith and morals so his actions would be dependent on whether they are based on just war theory, self defence, etc.

Now that you mentioned this topic, I think a Crusade is relevant now to repel ISIS based on what they have been doing so far. But that would be far-fetched considering the international political scene today.

hahaha... i am referring to word papal infallibility.

I think when pope has instruction from Holy Spirit to do declare war like my point above, then people should think that under provision of Holy Spirit, there will be a supplies of need and blessing (of course additional tanks n guns ).... why ? cuz it's HS that gives instruction.

what do u think ?

As mentioned above it has nothing to do with infallibility. It should be considered in the light of Church teaching on just war, self-defence, etc. If someone claims he or she has instructions from the Holy Spirit, etc, then there must be an unmistakable sign to prove that. The Catholic Church is very particular about alleged miracles, signs, prophecies. All these are judged by the Church in light of constant Church teaching, Sacred Tradition, Scripture... to be sure that there are no diabolical forces at work.

so if pope (not someone else), who is with bestowed papal infallibility, got instruction from HS about declaring a war, will the church still consider pope instruction ?