Is Having A Pope In Line With Jesus's Teachings?

[bobinator]

Matthew 23:9-10 "Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Messiah."

[cappie]

The title signifies that the Pope functions as a father to God's family. He is a visible sign of the unity and authority of the Church founded by Christ. Even though Christ's true father was almighty God in heaven, is it not beyond a doubt that he treated his foster father Joseph with all the respect one would render such a parent? Sure. Similarly, the Pope functions as a kind of foster father over the People of God. He is the successor of St. Peter and the Vicar of Christ. As the term of unity for the Church, the Pope's fatherhood is modified with the word holy. The Church is holy, not because of the presence of a sinful membership, but because Christ is holy. He sends his Spirit to sanctify the Church and to safeguard the authority he established.

Turning to a more mundane level, all our men should function as holy fathers in their families and in the community. It is an element of male identity which can be amplified by the transformative presence of Christ.