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Original poster

Time to get rid of the pope?

158 replies

KatyKopykat · 06/05/2025 22:38

I'm not Catholic so I don't know much about this. Could the world survive without the Pope? There's no need for a head of the Catholic church. There's no Anglican equivalent. Keep the bishop of Rome job, but leave it at that.

Expecting to get totally pasted here and I accept that I know nothing and happy to have explanations.

Admins @mnhq please remove if this is not allowed.

OP posts:
CiaoMeow · 07/05/2025 08:28

I think you don't understand the huge significance and pivotal relevance of the Pope to the Catholic Church and faith.

The papal office can be literally traced right back right from the 1st century and Apostle Peter, making it the oldest living institution in the world. Catholics believe that Jesus chose Peter to be the head of the Apostles, making Peter the first Pope and 'the rock' upon which the Catholic Church was built. Every Pope is considered a successor of Peter.

RareGoalsVerge · 07/05/2025 08:21

Cool.
What other multinational organisations don't really need someone in charge?

The UN - doesn't really need a Secretary General.
Big charities like The Wellcome Trust, World Health Organisation and Unicef disbursing millions of pounds a year - no real need for a CEO.

Great idea.

SummerDaysOnTheWay · 07/05/2025 08:10

😂👏

SpanThatWorld · 07/05/2025 08:05

ThejoyofNC · 07/05/2025 07:44

I don't know why people are trying to argue with such ignorance.

What else should I be doing on my daily commute?

spoonbillstretford · 07/05/2025 07:57

Well yeah, probably about 1000 years ago, but you've got the full might of the Catholic Church and millions of roman catholics across the world against you.

I wouldn't start from here if I were you. 🙂

DonaldJohnTrump · 07/05/2025 07:57

I could do it easy, as well as my job here in the USA

Just needs some MAGA letters on that bigly hat he wore.

ShockedandStunnedRepeatedly · 07/05/2025 07:53

@TheNightingalesStarling we can dream….

I did wonder if it would be someone from a developing country this time…

(apologies if that is non-PC terminology)

TheNightingalesStarling · 07/05/2025 07:50

I think they should appoint a woman this time

(PS.... yes I KNOW why they can't appoint a woman.....)

Cathandkin · 07/05/2025 07:47

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 07/05/2025 07:46

Good job you weren't posting this in 1378. There were 2 popes until 1417.

At one point 4 different men claimed to be Pope! Plus, sometimes they bumped off their enemies. Don't get me started about that bloke in Avignon.

ShockedandStunnedRepeatedly · 07/05/2025 07:47

ThejoyofNC · 07/05/2025 07:44

I don't know why people are trying to argue with such ignorance.

Cos it’s the Internet and people just type any old shite that enters their heads…!

SpanThatWorld · 07/05/2025 07:47

Topseyt123 · 07/05/2025 01:14

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the head of the Anglican church. Worldwide.

The Pope is head of the Roman Catholic church, also worldwide.

Both positions are currently vacant.

Could the Chief Rabbi stand in?

Cathandkin · 07/05/2025 07:46

Right. Start with some basic Wikipedia pages on the RC Church. Then perhaps the history of the Papacy (fascinating), possibly the Reformation (also interesting).
In all honesty, you don't need to go that far, though. Just think: 1.4bn Catholics believe that they need a Pope. There is a reason.

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 07/05/2025 07:46

Good job you weren't posting this in 1378. There were 2 popes until 1417.

JaneJeffer · 07/05/2025 07:45

ThejoyofNC · 07/05/2025 07:44

I don't know why people are trying to argue with such ignorance.

Sure it’s only a bit of craic Ted

ShockedandStunnedRepeatedly · 07/05/2025 07:44

Roman Catholicism is one of the most successful business models ever invented. What other organisation is represented in pretty much every single country on earth? Others would love to have that much influence….

The concept of the Pope is pretty central to it though, doubt that’ll be changing anytime soon!

ThejoyofNC · 07/05/2025 07:44

I don't know why people are trying to argue with such ignorance.

Cathandkin · 07/05/2025 07:43

FoxesBisQuit · 07/05/2025 00:59

Careful now. That would be an ecumenical matter.

I think it's time for a cup of tea, Father.

Cathandkin · 07/05/2025 07:41

beachcitygirl · 07/05/2025 01:08

None of your business. I was brought up catholic but I’m an atheist but I respect other people’s right to faith. I would prefer if church and state were kept separate but frankly Pope Francis was a decent man and this thread on the back of Trump’s disgusting trolling feels intentionally goady to catholics.
The UK has an anti-Irish and anti-catholic problem.
Don’t be a part of it.

Good points 👍

Cathandkin · 07/05/2025 07:41

JaneJeffer · 07/05/2025 00:16

🤣 will nobody think of the atheists

Show quote history

😂not one is included in the Conclave!
Imagine.

Cathandkin · 07/05/2025 07:40

BassesAreBest · 06/05/2025 22:43

I'm not Catholic
There's no need for a head of the Catholic church.

Surely that’s a matter for people who are Catholic to decide?

You'd think.

Topseyt123 · 07/05/2025 01:14

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the head of the Anglican church. Worldwide.

The Pope is head of the Roman Catholic church, also worldwide.

Both positions are currently vacant.

beachcitygirl · 07/05/2025 01:08

None of your business. I was brought up catholic but I’m an atheist but I respect other people’s right to faith. I would prefer if church and state were kept separate but frankly Pope Francis was a decent man and this thread on the back of Trump’s disgusting trolling feels intentionally goady to catholics.
The UK has an anti-Irish and anti-catholic problem.
Don’t be a part of it.

FoxesBisQuit · 07/05/2025 00:59

Careful now. That would be an ecumenical matter.

JaneJeffer · 07/05/2025 00:58

Helloworlditsmeagain · 07/05/2025 00:37

The op is an atheist

What makes you say that? Because the OP didn’t say it.

HaddyAbrams · 07/05/2025 00:45

mnahmnah · 06/05/2025 22:43

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the Anglican equivalent. But Anglican is Church of England, so not the same scale as the Roman Catholic Church. Catholic means universal, so worldwide and actually incorporates many other churches such as the Albanian and Coptic churches.

However, if you are not Catholic, then the Pope won’t matter much to you. For the millions of Catholics worldwide, yes, of course they want to keep him!

Anglican isn't just the Church of England though. The CofE is part of the Anglican community, which is worldwide.