Re: Pope passed away!
Catty, The Ottoman empire did not have an Ayatollah, or an Imam as leader?
The Vatican has rarely ruled over lands as the Ottoman Empire did, but there are many similarities. The fact that the Pope is the spiritual head of the largest branch of Christianity is sort of important. The Catholic Church is highly structured, and they will have a new Pope very quickly. This did not come as a big suprise…
UTD, I am not sure about that, I doubt it, but I will look it up.
UTD, you are indeed correct, however I don’t think the title was every really bestowed or claimed by Peter. I think the formation of the Church actually took two or three hundred years, and the actual title was characherized then. Obviously St Peter is the most revered, ie St Peters Basilica being the largest and most sacred church to Catholics