(LifeSiteNews) — “Is Francis really the pope? Is Pope Francis even Catholic?”
(The most recent debates are grouped below.)
It seems inarguable that as we get further into the reign of Francis, Catholics are asking with increasing frequency if he truly is the pope of the Catholic Church. Whether online, among family and friends, or just in their own minds, Catholics are struggling to explain what is happening in Rome when compared to the teachings of Christ’s Church.
As I mentioned at length in my Rome Life Forum speech titled The question everyone’s asking: Is Francis the pope?, as far as we are concerned at LifeSiteNews, this is a debate being held by sincere men and women who are trying to interpret the realities they are witnessing in light of Catholic teaching, and they are engaging in this discussion with the goal of preserving the faith at a time of seemingly unprecedented crisis.
It is right that views held by sincere Catholics should be openly and responsibly discussed by a media organization like LifeSiteNews, which is dedicated to seeking the truth about the underlying causes of the crisis in the Church and the modern world.
There is an urgent need for faithful Catholics – all those who look to the magisterium of the Catholic Church as their rule of faith – to work together to come to a deeper understanding of what has happened in the Church in recent decades. While the situation is distressing to many, it would seem that this exercise can only be done by engaging with the Church’s teaching and seeking, as best we can, to apply it to the facts of our times.
We will not always agree with each other, but we need to remain charitable. In that spirit, we have welcomed over two dozen articles by prelates, priests and laymen. Some believe that Francis is the pope. Others believe that Pope Francis cannot be the pope, either because Pope Benedict XVI resigned invalidly, they believe, or because, they argue, Pope Francis is guilty of heresy.
Those who believe Jorge Bergoglio does indeed validly occupy the seat of Peter include Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Bishop Joseph Strickland, and Matt Gaspers.
Those who believe that Jorge Bergoglio cannot be the pope include, among others, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, Fr. Giorgio Maria Faré, Patrick Coffin, John Lamont, and Dr. Edmund Mazza.
Archbishop Viganò has been excommunicated for his stance, and Fr. Faré has filed an appeal against a similar penalty.
The thesis that Pope Benedict deliberately faked his own resignation originates with prolific Italian historian and journalist Andrea Cionci. His book The Ratzinger Code, translated into 5 languages, has reportedly sold over 20,000 copies.
Some of the articles we have published recently are responses to earlier articles.
We will present two lists of links. One will present the most recent debates to be published on LifeSiteNews, and the other will include all the articles on the question that we have published over the years.
Recent Debates
Bishop Schneider (November 26) challenged by Fr. Giorgio Faré (December 3), Dr. Edmund Mazza (December 3) and S.D. Wright (December 10).
Steven O’Reilly (November 21), with response from Dr. Mazza (November 25), and then a reply from Mr. O’Reilly (December 4)
Patrick Coffin (November 12) challenged by Mr. O’Reilly (November 22)
All Arguments
Francis is the pope
The following articles and videos argue that Francis is the pope despite legitimate concerns with whether or not he professes the Catholic faith.
Bishop Schneider:
EXCLUSIVE: Bishop Schneider explains why he believes Francis must be the pope
Bishop Schneider responds to Archbishop Viganò on papal legitimacy
Bishop Schneider’s handbook for correcting errors in life of Church today
Bishop Schneider: Catholics are not called to blind obedience to the Pope
Bishop Schneider releases essay ‘on the question of the true Pope’
Bishop Schneider: Nobody has the power to judge Francis’ status as pope
Vatican II should be clarified, not rejected: Bishop Schneider
Matt Gaspers:
Archbishop Viganò, Pope Francis and ‘peaceful and universal acceptance’
Archbishop Viganò discusses the question of Pope Francis – a critique
Bishop Joseph Strickland:
Bishop Strickland: ‘I am not and have never been a sedevacantist’
Steven O’Reilly:
Why Pope Benedict’s resignation was valid: a response to Dr. Mazza
Benedict XVI did not fake his resignation: a response to Patrick Coffin
Here’s what Benedict XVI meant by pope emeritus: a second reply to Dr. Mazza
Francis is not the pope due to heresy
The following articles argue that Francis is not the pope because he is a public heretic. Some of the articles also deal with common objections raised against this thesis.
Matthew McCusker:
Is Francis the pope? The argument from public heresy suggests not
Why ‘universal and peaceful acceptance’ doesn’t prove Francis is pope
Is there ‘universal peaceful acceptance’ of Francis as pope?
We shouldn’t be afraid of concluding that Francis isn’t pope: here’s why
Is Archbishop Viganò really in schism?
Has Francis abandoned Christianity altogether?
John Lamont:
Prominent Catholic theologian: Francis may no longer be regarded as legitimate due to heresy
Fr. Giorgio Maria Faré:
‘There cannot be a heretical Pope’: Fr. Giorgio Maria Faré responds to Bishop Schneider
S.D. Wright:
Does Bishop Schneider peacefully adhere to Francis as pope? (On universal and peaceful adherence)
Dr. Edmund Mazza:
If Francis is pope, a cloud of witnesses have been wrong about the papacy
Francis is not the pope because Benedict XVI resigned invalidly
The following articles argue that Francis is not pope because Benedict XVI’s resignation was either wholly, or at least partially, invalid, and thus Francis was unable to be elected pope.
Dr. Edmund Mazza:
Doctor Edmund Mazza: Here’s why I believe the Bergoglian pontificate is invalid
What Benedict meant by ‘Pope Emeritus’: a response to Mr. O’Reilly
Benedict XVI’s own words prove that his resignation was invalid: a reply to Bishop Schneider
Patrick Coffin:
Patrick Coffin: Pope Benedict left us clues that he did not validly resign
Professor Erik Thaddeus Walters on Andrea Cionci (John-Henry Westen Show):
Exploring the thesis of ‘The Ratzinger Code’: Did Pope Benedict fake his resignation?
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò
Archbishop Viganò: Bergoglio is an ‘anti-Pope,’ Benedict’s resignation was ‘certainly invalid’
Abp. Viganò: The Church needs an ‘official investigation’ of Benedict’s resignation
Dr. Francesco Patruno:
Benedict XVI made a colossal mistake by inventing the role of ‘pope emeritus’
Concerning Fr. Giorgio Maria Faré:
Italian priest could be excommunicated after claiming Francis is not the pope
