What Catholics Believe About the Pope: Authority, Anti-Popes & Apostolic Succession
What Catholics Believe
•
10-Dec-2025
Join Dr. Christopher Mooney, assistant professor of theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, as he answers some of the internet's most popular questions about the pope and the papacy.
Why does the Catholic Church have a pope? Is the pope Catholic? Do Catholics have to obey everything the pope says? What is an anti-pope?
00:00 Intro
00:17 Why is the pope called the "pope"?
00:58 Is the pope a priest?
01:30 Is the pope in the Bible?
02:58 Is the pope Catholic?
04:07 What is the difference between a pope, a bishop, and a cardinal?
05:16 Do I have to listen to the pope?
06:44 Why do Catholics have a pope?
09:20 How is the pope chosen?
09:47 What are anti-popes?
10:55 What is apostolic succession?
Watch Saint Peter on Formed: https://app.formed.org/app/collections/117850
Up Next in What Catholics Believe
-
What Catholics Believe About Advent: ...
In this episode of What Catholics Believe, Fr. Chris Martin explains what Advent is, why the Church celebrates it, and how Catholics can enter more deeply into this season of preparation. Discover the meaning behind the colors of Advent, the difference between Advent and Christmas, and how Script...
-
What Catholics Believe About the Jubi...
Join Dr. Mark Giszczak, associate professor of Sacred Scripture at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, as he answers some of the internet's most pressing questions about the Jubilee.
What is a Jubilee year? What is a Holy Door? What are indulgences? Is the Jubilee year in Scri...
-
What Catholics Believe About Sufferin...
Join Dr. Mark Giszczak, associate professor of Sacred Scripture at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, as he answers some of the internet's most pressing questions about suffering.
If God is all good and loving, why do bad things happen to good people? What is the meaning of s...
16 Comments