The euphoria surrounding the visit of "Pope" Francis, fuelled by the wall-to-wall coverage by the uncritical mass-media, is truly sad to witness. The spectacle of sheer, unadulterated man-worship is truly appalling. It needs to be remembered, by all true Bible-believing Christians, that the very idea of a "Pope" (literally "Father") ruling over all Christians is a false one. The Papacy is an Anti-Christian institution. The position of "Pope" is an invention of sinful men, with NO scriptural basis whatsoever. When the New Testament Church council met in Jerusalem (ACTS 15) it was James NOT Peter who presided over it. When Peter himself wrote to the elders of the Church (1 Peter 5) it was as an elder, and not as one with jurisdiction over them. But any supposed primacy of Simon Peter over the Church, even if it were true, would be NO basis for the arrogant and blasphemous claims and titles taken upon themselves by successive Roman Pontiffs. Peter was not a Pope, nor was any other Biblical figure, nor is such an office spoken of in the Word of God. There is but ONE "Holy Father" - the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is the Head of His Church. The Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch.25, Section VI. states: "There is no other head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ: nor can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the Church against Christ, and all that is called God."
