logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2019
14m 2s

Why Catholics Have a Pope

ASCENSION
About this episode

Fr. Mike goes all the way back to Genesis to explain why Catholics have a pope. God established the kingdom of Israel with the twelve sons of Jacob. Centuries later, he appointed David as the king who would unite this kingdom. Centuries after that kingdom was divided, Jesus established a new kingdom by appointing the twelve apostles.

To unite this new kingdom, which is the Church, he appointed Peter as his vicar here on earth. Jesus is the king, but he gave the keys of the kingdom to Peter. This means Peter and his successors play the role of the “prime minister”, or the right-hand-man, or the steward of the king while Jesus is gone.

The papacy may be a divisive topic today, but clearly God gave his Church a pope as a sign of unity for all who are a part of the new kingdom Christ established.

Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Up next
Nov 20
Maybe I Should Have Said Something…
When you miss an opportunity to share the faith, what's the next step? Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on the question, "When should I say something?" We'll never have every answer, but if we take everything to the Lord, He will show us the way. 
6m 22s
Nov 13
Addressing the FAKE Videos of Me (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)
There have been numerous fake videos of Fr. Mike circulating online: clips of him supposedly asking for money for Lourdes, delivering sermons he never gave, and appearing on accounts that aren’t actually his. These are all scams — and a concerning reminder of how easy it is to be ... Show More
9m 11s
Nov 6
Sin, Emotions and Virtue Explained (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Can your feelings be sinful? Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us that "sin and virtue do not reside in the emotions, they reside in the will." Our emotions, whether positive or negative, don’t make us good or bad; what matters is how we respond to them. Use your emotions to choose and pu ... Show More
7 m
Recommended Episodes
May 2023
Day 123: The Pope
Who is the Pope? Today, we focus on the role of the Pope in the Catholic Church as the Vicar of Christ and pastor of the entire Church. The Catechism teaches us that the institution of the papacy dates back to that powerful moment in the Gospel when Jesus changed Simon’s name to ... Show More
17m 5s
Apr 2024
The Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven
Did the early Church understand the words of Christ to Peter as giving unique powers or special privileges to Peter? How, when and why did the Roman Church develop its theology of papal supremacy? What did the early Fathers say about the keys to the kingdom of heaven? 
1h 42m
Apr 2024
On This Rock I Will Build My Church
Peter's acknowledgment of the true identity of Jesus, led to him receiving a new name and a blessing. The Catholic Church has used this verse to support its papal supremacy doctrine. Is Peter the Rock on which the Church is built, or is it something or someone else? 
1h 34m
Mar 2023
Day 77: The Kingdom of God
Fr. Mike explores Jesus’ mission of establishing the kingdom of God on earth, and who belongs in the kingdom of Heaven: all people. We see how Jesus identifies himself with the poor, lowly, and those who the world says are not important. If we do not welcome them, we cannot enter ... Show More
17m 19s
Mar 2023
Day 78: Signs of the Kingdom
Fr. Mike unpacks the signs of the kingdom of God that Christ performed while on Earth. These signs of the kingdom are a way for us to see that Jesus is not just “another prophet” but is, in fact, the Son of God. Fr. Mike reminds us that these miracles and signs can strengthen the ... Show More
19m 59s
Nov 2023
How Pope Francis laid the groundwork for his papacy
Ten years ago, Pope Francis released his first papal document, “Evangelii Gaudium,” which lays out his vision for the church in the 21st century. To help break down this inaugural document of Francis’ papacy, Zac and Ashley welcome Rafael Luciani, an associate professor of practi ... Show More
39m 43s
Apr 2024
You are Peter and On This Rock....
Our examination of Peter's confession and Christ's blessing continues. Was Peter ever the bishop of Rome? Did the Lord's words give Peter and all bishops of Rome universal jurisdiction over the entire Church? What did the holy Fathers say about Christ's words? 
1h 20m
Nov 2022
The King & His Kingdom
"I love Jesus...do I really need a Church? Why do we need religion?" In this episode, Dr. Sri reveals how the history of the Kingdom of God is woven with the thread of the inseparable bond of Christ and his Church throughout the Old and New Testaments. Snippet from the Show You c ... Show More
24m 24s
Jan 2023
The Sunday Debate: What is the legacy of Pope Benedict XVI?
As the world ushered in a new year on the 31st of December 2022, it also said goodbye to possibly its most well-known religious leader, Pope Benedict XVI. As a cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger’s uncompromising conservative views earned him the nickname "God's Rottweiler". As Pope, his ... Show More
36m 28s