Popes: From Peter to Francis

The popes are like their predecessor Peter, men with strengths and weaknesses, failures and successes. They, like their predecessor, had moments of great holiness and great sinfulness, but in the end, they always faithfully fulfilled their providential calling: “Thou art Peter, and upon you I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (cf. Mt. 16:18f). The emphasis of this work is primarily focused on the doctrinal decisions the popes have made throughout the generations. When one examines the history of the popes, one clearly sees that it is the faith of the popes that won the day. In fact, one may argue that without the popes there would be no Christianity, for history has shown that “where Peter is, there is Christ and his Church.”