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The Papacy and Infallibility (Index Page)

The Papacy and Infallibility (Index Page)

Last updated on: September 12, 2026 at 8:55 am by Dave Armstrong

The Papacy and Infallibility (Index Page) 2026-09-12T08:55:52-04:00 Dave Armstrong

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

[published in March 2012, 150 pages]

[see full book and purchase information]

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[Papal Encyclicals Online: fabulous resource: includes Kindle / Nook / ePub capability]

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Replies to Critiques of Pope Francis (Dave Armstrong) [242 of my own articles]

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Pope Francis Defended: Resources for Confused Folks [321 articles or videos from others]

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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I. PETRINE PRIMACY / ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL

II. GENERAL PAPAL ECCLESIOLOGY

III. PAPAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUCCESSION

IV. PETER THE “ROCK” / “KEYS OF THE KINGDOM”

V. PAPAL INFALLIBILITY, SUPREMACY, AND ROMAN PRIMACY

VI. PAPAL INDEFECTIBILITY

VII. POPES, COUNCILS, CONCILIARISM, AND COLLEGIALITY

VIII. DISAGREEING WITH OR TRYING TO PERSUADE POPES / HONOR AND RESPECT FOR POPES / POPE-BASHING

IX. PAPAL SCANDALS / “BAD POPES”

X. DID POPES CLAIM TO BE GOD? / POPES AS ANTICHRIST?

XI. VEN. POPE PIUS XII AND THE NAZI HOLOCAUST

XII. POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II

XIII. POPE BENEDICT XVI

XIV. POPE FRANCIS

XV. POPE FRANCIS: PHIL LAWLER’S HIT-PIECE, LOST SHEPHERD

XVI. POPE FRANCIS: ROSS DOUTHAT’S HIT-PIECE, TO CHANGE THE CHURCH

XVII. POPE FRANCIS: HENRY SIRE’S HIT-PIECE, THE DICTATOR POPE

XVIII. POPE FRANCIS: KARL KEATING’S TOME, THE FRANCIS FEUD

XIX. POPE FRANCIS: ARCHBISHOP VIGANO’S RANTINGS

XX. POPE LEO XIV

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I. PETRINE PRIMACY / ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL

The Papacy and Infallibility: Keys of the Kingdom (Chapter Ten of My Bestselling — and Probably Most Well-Known — Book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism) [9-16-93; rev. May 1996]

50 New Testament Proofs for Petrine Primacy & the Papacy [1994] [+ French version] [+ Portugese version 1 / Portugese version 2]

Primacy of St. Peter Verified by Protestant Scholars [1994]

Roman See as Historic Standard-Bearer of Orthodoxy (+ the Ecclesiological Absurdity of Anti-Catholic-Type Eastern Orthodox Arguments Against Roman Primacy & Apostolicity) [1997]

Is St. Paul Superior to St. Peter? (Dialogue) [1998; expanded 5-13-02]

Why Peter’s Marriage Doesn’t Disprove Catholicism: A Dialogue [January 1999]

Reply to Critique of “50 NT Proofs for the Papacy” (vs. Jason Engwer) [3-14-02]

Refutation of a Satirical “Pauline Papacy” Argument (vs. Jason Engwer) [9-30-03]

Refutation of “Catholicism Refuted”: Pt. II (Tradition, Papacy) [12-10-04]

Paul Rebuked Peter: Disproof of Papacy? [2007]

Biblical & Patristic Basis for the Papacy (vs. Calvin #13) [5-21-09]
*

Petrine & Roman Primacy & Papal Succession (vs. Calvin #14) [6-13-09]
*

Peter & the Papacy & the Early Church (vs. Calvin #15) [6-14-09]
*

Popes & Early Ecumenical Councils (vs. Calvin #16) [6-15-09]

Pitting Paul Against Peter (Pathetic, Pitiful Pedantry): Reply to Failed Anti-Catholic Protestant Attempts to Tear Down St. Peter and His Papal Authority [8-10-12]

Top 20 Biblical Proofs of the Papacy [12-12-15]

“No Pope in the New Testament” & Other Such Myths Debunked [1-21-16]

50 Biblical Indications of Petrine Primacy and the Papacy [National Catholic Register, 11-20-16]

Did St. Paul Seek St. Peter’s Approval for His Ministry? (+ Does The Word Order in Galatians 2:9 Suggest a Lowering of Peter’s Primacy?) [4-27-17 and 9-4-17]
*

Armstrong vs. Collins & Walls #10: St. Peter & the Papacy [10-21-17]
*

Short Exchange on Peter as Pope [11-15-17]
*

Top 20 Biblical Evidences for the Primacy of St. Peter [National Catholic Register, 1-8-18; see also my video commentary on this article with Kenny Burchard on the Catholic Bible Highlights channel, 11-8-24]
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D oes Paul’s Rebuke of Peter Disprove Papal Infallibility? [National Catholic Register, 3-31-18]

Vs. James White #1: “Papal Pretensions” & “New” Apologists [9-16-19]

Papal Passages Lk 22:31-34 & Jn 21:15-17 (vs. Jason Engwer) [5-12-20]

St. Peter Listed First in Lists of Disciples: A Debate (vs. Jason Engwer) [10-12-20]

Peter’s Primacy is Disproved By His Personality? (Protestant Apologist Jason Engwer Continues His All-Out War on St. Peter & the Papacy) [10-18-20]

Is Peter’s Primacy Disproved by His Personality? [National Catholic Register, 11-30-20]

Did Peter or James Preside at the Jerusalem Council? (And Was it the Prototype of Ecumenical Councils or Merely a Local Synod?) [5-21-21]

Pope St. Clement of Rome & Papal Authority [7-28-21]

Reply to Engwer’s Alleged “Absence of a Papacy” [8-25-21]

Christians Have Always Recognized the Pope’s Authority — Here’s Proof From the 1st Century (Pope St. Clement of Rome) [National Catholic Register, 9-18-21]

James Listed Before Peter (Gal 2:9)? (vs. Jason Engwer) [12-3-21]

Reply to Lucas Banzoli’s 205 Potshots at St. Peter, Part I [5-26-22]

Lucas Banzoli’s 205 “Petrine Potshots”, Part II [5-27-22]

Lucas Banzoli’s 205 “Petrine Potshots”, Part III [5-30-22]

Lucas Banzoli’s 205 “Petrine Potshots”, Part IV [5-30-22]

Jason Engwer, Trent Horn, & My 50 NT Petrine Proofs [7-28-22]

No Papacy in the NT? Think Again (vs. Jason Engwer). With Special Emphasis on the Protestant Exegesis of “The keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:19) [8-1-22]

Defending 20 Biblical Proofs for the Papacy (vs. Lucas Banzoli) [+ Part II] [2-13-23]

“Peter and Paul” Distorts Peter’s Life & Paul’s Teaching [2-25-23]

Reply to Rodrigo Silva on NT Evidences for the Papacy [2-27-23]

Reply to Steve Hays’ Caricatures of the Papacy [2-28-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #20: St. Peter the Rock; Hades; Peter & the Keys; Peter’s Betrayal & Jesus’ Prayer for His Faith; One Church vs. Denominationalism; Baptism in Acts [5-30-23]

Steve Hays is Dead Wrong Regarding Peter the “Pope” in the Bible (Including Massive Protestant Exegetical Support) + Explanation of “Hades” in Matthew 16:18 [Facebook, 5-30-23]

The Authority of Popes (chapter three, pp. 139-158, of my 2009 book, Bible Truths for Catholic Truths: A Source Book for Apologists and Inquirers) [10-16-23]

“Catholic Verses” #9: The Papacy [11-2-23]

St. Peter’s Sins vs. St. Paul’s: Anti-Catholic Double Standard? [Catholic365, 11-4-23]
*

New Testament Mentions St. Peter More Than St. Paul [Catholic365, 11-19-23]
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St. Peter Wrote the First Papal Encyclical [Facebook, 1-31-24]
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Jesus Telling Peter to “Feed My Sheep,” Etc. and the Papacy [Facebook, 3-8-24]
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Papal Authority In The NT And The Fathers (Vs. Mike Winger): Incl. “Papal” & Patristic Exegesis of Matthew 16 and John 21; Relationship of the Bible & the Church [3-9-24]

History Of The Word “Pope” & Spiritual Fatherhood In The NT [3-11-24]
*

Biblical Arguments for the Papacy: Reply to Gavin Ortlund [3-12-24]
*

Reply to Commentary On Engwer’s “Pauline Parody” [5-15-24]

Eck vs. Protestantism Chronicles: Biblical Papacy [5-30-24]
*

The Ludicrous “Fellow Elder” Anti-Papal Argument from 1 Peter 5:1 [Facebook, 7-9-24]

The Preeminence of St. Peter (Especially in the Book of Acts): An Evangelical Anglican Take [Facebook, 8-16-24]
*

VIDEO: Was Peter REALLY the first Pope? [Dave Armstrong & Kenny Burchard on the Catholic Bible Highlights channel, 11-8-24]
*

Peter’s Primacy: Reply to Anglican Bishop Charles Gore [4-22-25]
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Luke 22:32: “I Have Prayed for [Peter]” + Indefectibility [4-30-25]

John 21:15-17: Jesus Tells Peter to “Tend My Sheep” [4-30-25]

‘Feed My Sheep’: How John 21 Shows Peter Was the First Pope [National Catholic Register, 6-26-25]

Jesus’ Prayer for Peter (Luke 22) & Indefectibility [8-5-25]
*

The Worthless “Paul Rebuked Peter, Therefore He Wasn’t a Pope” Argument [Facebook, 10-21-25]
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The Biblical Argument for the Office of the Papacy [Facebook, 10-21-25]

St. Peter the First Pope: 120 Bible Proofs [10-22-25]
*

St. Peter & the Papal Office: 130 One-Sentence Proofs [10-31-25]

VIDEO: 1 Peter 5:13: Babylon = Rome (Protestant Scholars Agree) [see also the initial transcript] [Catholic Bible Highlights, with Kenny Burchard, 1-16-26]
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VIDEO: 11 Protestant Objections to Papal Authority Debunked (Protestant ‘Pope Fiction’”) [see also the initial transcript] [Catholic Bible Highlights, with Kenny Burchard, 7-17-26]

VIDEO: Was Peter “Any Old” Apostle? 10 Anti-Papal Arguments [see also the initial transcript] [Catholic Bible Highlights, with Kenny Burchard, 9-11-26]

*
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The Origins of the Denial of Peter’s Roman Sojourn (Nicholas Gulda, The Crossroads, 9-4-22)

II. GENERAL PAPAL ECCLESIOLOGY

Biblical Argumentation: Same as Sola Scriptura?: Development of Doctrine, Tradition, and Implicit vs. Explicit Biblical Proofs (The Papacy as a Test Case) [10-7-03]

Biblical & Patristic Basis for the Papacy (vs. Calvin #13) [5-21-09]
*

How to Talk About the Papacy Without Offending Catholics [6-3-09]

Petrine & Roman Primacy & Papal Succession (vs. Calvin #14) [6-13-09]

Peter & the Papacy & the Early Church (vs. Calvin #15) [6-14-09]
*

Popes & Early Ecumenical Councils (vs. Calvin #16) [6-15-09]

Fathers (Esp. Jerome, Gregory) & the Papacy (vs. Calvin #17) [6-15-09]
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Roman Primacy / Popes & Collegiality (vs. Calvin #18) [6-15-09]
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Constantine / Universal Papal Jurisdiction (vs. Calvin #19) [6-25-09]

Gregory the Great & Papal Supremacy (vs. Calvin #20) [6-25-09]
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St. Bernard & the Papacy / Pope as “Head” (vs. Calvin #21) [6-27-09]
*

Orthodox & Catholic Ecclesiology: Possible Synthesis? [11-23-11]

The Nature of Papal Leadership: “Servant of Servants” [from Karl Adam; Facebook, 2-2-12]

Christian Ecclesiology: Dialogue with a Mennonite (Especially that of the Early Church, and the Jerusalem Council) [5-30-12]

Are Modern Papal Encyclicals Too Long? [7-9-15]

Biblical Evidence for “Holy Father” & “Vicar of Christ” [9-12-15]

Can a Pope be a Heretic or Authoritatively Declare Heresy? [2-3-17]

Armstrong vs. Collins & Walls #10: St. Peter & the Papacy [10-21-17]
*

Reply to Jordan Cooper’s Rejection of the Papacy [4-25-22]

Response to an Inquiring Protestant (Austin Suggs) (Strictly Biblical Arguments Regarding the Papacy & Mary’s Immaculate Conception & Assumption) [5-3-22]

Peter’s Wife, James Swan, Celibacy, & Catholicism (The Perfectly Sensible and Explicit Biblical Rationale for Priestly Celibacy) [3-15-24]

Why Are Popes Called Popes? [National Catholic Register, 3-27-24]
*

What the Bible Says About the Pope [National Catholic Register, 3-31-24]

“Supreme Pontiff”: An Outrageous, Arrogant Papal Title? [Facebook, 7-15-25]
*

Vs. Geisler on Catholicism #8: Papal Infallibility (Includes Anti-Infallibilist George Salmon; “Vicar of Christ”; “Holy Father”; “Supreme Pontiff”; Is Galileo a Catholic Difficulty?) [7-16-25]
*

III. PAPAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUCCESSION

The Development of the Papacy (St. John Henry Cardinal Newman) [Facebook, 1997]

Dialogue on Development of Doctrine (Esp. the Papacy) (vs. Jason Engwer) [2000]

Dialogue on Doctrinal Development (Papacy & NT Canon) (vs. Jason Engwer) [2-26-02]

Early Development of the Papacy: Random Reflections [2-26-02]
*

Petrine & Roman Primacy & Papal Succession (vs. Calvin #14) [6-13-09]
*

What Year Did Popes Become Antichrist? (vs. John Calvin) [3-11-10]

Papal Succession & the Bible: An Exchange [1-27-12]

Quick, Highly Effective Argument for the Existence of the Papacy in the First 200 Years [Facebook, 3-13-13]

The Biblical Argument for Papal Succession [12-12-15]

Papal Succession: A Straightforward Biblical Argument [4-28-17]
*

Papal Succession: Biblical and Logical Arguments [National Catholic Register, 5-26-17]
*

Apostolic Succession: Reply to Certain Misconceptions [7-1-20]

James Swan, St. Augustine & “This Rock” [4-19-22]

Yes, Jesus Founded The Catholic Church (vs. Jordan Cooper) [3-6-24]

Newman & Early Church Papal Infallibility & Supremacy (Reply to Jordan Cooper’s Miscomprehensions of St. Cardinal Newman’s Views on the Development of the Papacy & the 1870 Dogma) [1-2-25]

Papal Succession in a Nutshell [Facebook, 10-22-25]

IV. PETER THE “ROCK” / “KEYS OF THE KINGDOM”

Peter the “Rock”: Protestant Contra-Catholic Exegetical Bias [7-7-09]

Armstrong vs. Collins & Walls #10: St. Peter & the Papacy [10-21-17]
*

Vs. James White #1: “Papal Pretensions” & “New” Apologists [9-16-19]

Salesian Apologetics #6: Papacy (St. Peter the Rock) [2-7-20]

Salesian Apologetics #7: Objections to St. Peter the Rock [2-11-20]

Debate: Matthew 16:18-19 & the Papacy (vs. Steve Hays) [10-30-21]

James Swan, St. Augustine & “This Rock” [4-19-22]

Can Christ & Peter Both be “Rocks”? [4-21-22]

Jesus Christ and St. Peter — Are Both Rocks? [National Catholic Register, 6-29-22]

No Papacy in the NT? Think Again (vs. Jason Engwer). With Special Emphasis on the Protestant Exegesis of “The keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:19) [8-1-22]

Odd James White View Re Matthew 16:19 & the “Keys” [8-15-22]

The Meaning of the Keys of St. Peter [National Catholic Register, 8-25-22]

“Both/And”: Jesus is the Rock, and St. Peter, the Apostles, and Prophets Are the Foundation of the Church, Too [Facebook, 3-12-24]

Peter the Rock: Only a Catholic View? (vs. James White) [Includes Documentation of 14 Church Fathers Who Thought Peter Was the Rock] [5-11-24]

Treviño Misrepresents My “Peter the Rock” Argument (Why I Cited Protestant Scholars Who Believe that Jesus Thought Peter Himself was the “Rock”) [9-13-24]

VIDEO: Matthew 16 & the Papacy (vs. Patrick O’Brien) [+ initial transcript] [Catholic Bible Highlights with Kenny Burchard, 5-29-26]
*

V. PAPAL INFALLIBILITY, SUPREMACY, AND ROMAN PRIMACY

Papacy & Papal Infallibility: Classic Catholic Reflections [1994]

Vatican I on Papal Infallibility: “Ultramontanism”? [3-29-04]

Dialogue on the Logic of Catholic Infallible Authority [6-4-96]

Dialogue on (Supposedly Fallible) Pope Honorius [1997]

Infallibility, Councils, and Levels of Church Authority: Explanation of the Subtleties of Church Teaching and Debate with Several Radical Catholic Reactionaries [7-30-99; terminology updated, and a few minor changes made on 7-31-18]

Döllinger & Liberal Dissidents’ Rejection of Papal Infallibility [11-28-04]
*

Cdl. Newman, Vatican I & II, & Papal Infallibility (Clarification) [12-10-05]

Honorius: Disproof of Papal Infallibility? [2007]

Bible on Papal & Church Infallibility [2007]

Papal Infallibility Doctrine: History (Including Luther’s Dissent at the Leipzig Disputation in 1519) [10-8-07]

Humanae Vitae: (1968): Infallible Teaching Against Contraception [12-31-07]

Infallibility of Papal Encyclicals, Etc. (“Irreformable”) [8-4-08]

Why Papal Infallibility Was Made a Dogma in 1870 [10-17-08]

Infallible Individuals: Scriptural Examples & Analogies [2009]
*

St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) on Papal Supremacy [Facebook, 7-1-09]

Inspired & Infallible Prophets: Analogy to Infallible Popes [2-2-10]

The Galileo Fiasco & Catholic Infallibility (vs. Jon Curry) [8-11-10]

John Henry Newman on Papal Infallibility Prior to 1870 (Classic Anti-Catholic Lies: George Salmon, James White, David T. King et al) [8-11-11]

Reply to Protestant Difficulties Regarding Papal Infallibility [2015]
*

Luther’s Straw Man: Papal Infallibility = Personal Impeccability? [8-17-15]

Can a Pope be a Heretic or Authoritatively Declare Heresy? [2-3-17]

Did Pope Gregory the Great Deny Papal Primacy & Supremacy? [9-16-17]
*

Pope St. Leo the Great (r. 440-461) and Papal Supremacy [9-19-17]

Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus [Turkey] (393-457), on Roman and Papal Primacy [Facebook, 9-19-17]
*

Shock! Former Catholic Rod Dreher Loves Lawler’s Pope-Bashing Book [2-22-18]

A Brief History of Papal Infallibility [National Catholic Register, 5-21-18]
*

Don’t Confuse Papal Infallibility with Impeccability [Facebook, 8-31-18]

Protestant Objections to Papal Infallibility [National Catholic Register, 2-29-20]

Did Pope Gelasius (r. 492-496) Deny Transubstantiation? [3-24-21]

Pope St. Clement of Rome & Papal Authority [7-28-21]

Explicit Papal Infallibility in 96 AD (Pope St. Clement) [originally from 7-30-21; posted at Catholic365 on 11-20-23]
*

My Supposed “Papolatry”: Outrageous Reactionary Lies [8-26-21]

The Pope is Not Impeccable (Free from Sin or Errors in Judgment, Prudence, Etc.) [Facebook discussion, 10-12-21]

Karl Keating Botches Cyprian “Infallibility Citation” [10-27-21]

Is First Clement Non-Papal? (vs. Jason Engwer) [4-19-22]

Thoughts: Jam es White & Cameron Bertuzzi & Catholicism (Primarily Concerning the Papacy) [5-17-22]

“The Catholic Monitor” Butchers My View of Papal Infallibility (. . . and Has the Impudent Audacity to Attack St. John Henry Cardinal Newman as a Modernist and Nominalist) [9-14-22]

Reactionaries Now Engaged in a Wholesale Attack on Vatican One (1870) / Pope- and Ecumenical Council-Bashing Will Continue After the Holy Father Dies [Facebook, 9-15-22]

Bp. Butler’s Refutation of Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 2: The Nature of Papal Infallibility & the Obligatory Discussion of Galileo [3-25-23]

Bp. Butler’s Refutation of Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 3: Gallicanism, Ultramontanism, and Petrine Primacy in the New Testament [5-12-23]

Steve Hays Foolishly Bashes the Biblical Doctrine of Infallibility [Facebook, 5-28-23]

Bp. Butler’s Refutation of Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 4: Roman Primacy in the Early Church; First Clement; Ignatius & Cyprian on the Papacy; Pope Liberius; Sozomen & Socrates on Papal Primacy; Pope Honorius [7-6-23]

Too Many Papal Critics or Bashers Exhibit the Heretical Spirit of John Wycliffe [Facebook, 8-10-23]

Fate of Unbaptized Infants, Dogma, & Infallibility: Refutation of the Polemical Claims of Brazilian Calvinists Francisco Tourinho & Frankle Brunno [8-11-23]

Is Papal Infallibility Contrary to Free Will? [Facebook, 8-21-23]
*

The Analogy of Inspired Prophets to Infallible Popes [Facebook, 10-16-23]
*

Bishop Strickland: The Writing Was on the Wall [Catholic365, 11-16-23]
*

Newman on Infallibility & Vatican I (vs. One Peter Five) [Catholic365, 11-24-23]
*

Papacy & OT Infallible Prophets Analogy (vs. Gavin Ortlund) [3-14-24]

Quick Refutation of James White Re Papal Infallibility in the Bible [Facebook, 5-10-24]
*

Papal Infallibility: Reply To Lutheran Jordan Cooper (Including Documentation of Popes’ Massive Consultation with Bishops and Others Before Declaring Dogmas, and Particulars of the Voting at Vatican I) [8-7-24]
*

Is the Pope Infallible in Political Matters? [Facebook, 3-16-26]

VIDEO: Inspired Prophets: An Analogy to Infallible Popes [+ initial transcript] [Catholic Bible Highlights, with Kenny Burchard, 3-27-26]

*****

The Supposed Fall of Honorius and His Condemnation (J. H. R., American Catholic Quarterly Review, vol. 7, 1882, pp. 162-168)

The Condemnation of Pope Honorius (Dom John Chapman, O.S.B., London: Catholic Truth Society, 1907)

Pope Honorius I (Catholic Encyclopedia [Dom John Chapman])

The Truth about Pope Honorius (Robert Spencer, Catholic Answers, 9-1-94)

Was Pope Honorius I a heretic? (Ron Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 9-17-16)

The Alleged Fall of Pope Liberius (P. J. Harrold, American Catholic Quarterly Review, vol. 8, 1883, 529-549)

Pope Liberius (Catholic Encyclopedia [Dom John Chapman])

The Sixth Nicene Canon and the Papacy (James F. Loughlin, American Catholic Quarterly Review, vol. 5, 1880, 220-239)

Was Pope Vigilius a Heretic? (Mark Hausam, Where Peter Is, 4-12-20)

Papal Infallibility and the Case of Pope Vigilius (Lawrence McCready, Unam Sanctam Catholicam, 7-7-12)

The Transformation of Pope Vigilius (Warren H. Carroll, Faith & Reason, Winter 1982)
*

An In-Depth Examination of Pope Vigilius: Historical and Theological Insights [Video (2 1/2 hours) by William Albrecht and two guests, 9-6-24]
*

St. Thomas Aquinas and the Origins of the Doctrine of Papal Infallibility (Emmett O’Regan, Nova et Vetera, Winter 2025, Vol. 23, No. 1)
*

The Authority of the Pope’s Ordinary Teaching (Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 9-5-25)

VI. PAPAL INDEFECTIBILITY

Pope Francis Accusers Reject Magisterial Teaching on Popes (The pope’s teaching is indefectible and cannot be judged or “overruled” by any man: or even an ecumenical council) [7-23-20]

Dialogue #7 w 1P5 Columnist Timothy Flanders (Highlighting Papal Indefectibility, Pastor Aeternus from Vatican I in 1870, & the “Charitable Anathema”) [12-1-20]

Papal Indefectibility: Dr. Fastiggi vs. Fr. Z [3-11-21]

Leila Marie Lawler: Self-Appointed Pope-Basher / Papal Indefectibility Dogmatized at Vatican I [Facebook, 9-27-23]

The “Spirit of Defectibility” & “Quasi-Defectibility” [Catholic365, 11-22-23]

Theologian Robert Fastiggi On Papal Indefectibility [3-11-24]

John Martignoni: “What the Heck is Papal Indefectibility?” [1-28-25]
*

Jesus’ Prayer for Peter (Luke 22) & Indefectibility [8-5-25]

***
*

The Indefectibility of the Church: A Response to the Defenders of the Filial Correction (Emmet O’Regan, La Stampa, 11-4-17)
*

The Heretical Pope Fallacy: The Official Relatio of Vatican I on the Dogmatization of St. Bellarmine’s “Fourth Opinion” (Emmet O’Regan, La Stampa, 12-11-17)
*

The Indefectibility of the Apostolic See: Was the Idea of a Heretical Pope Formally Excluded at the First Vatican Council? (Emmet O’Regan, Theological Studies, Volume 84, Issue 4, December 2023, 634-656)
*

VII. POPES, COUNCILS, CONCILIARISM, AND COLLEGIALITY

Pope St. Leo the Great, the “Robber” Council of 449, and the Council of Chalcedon in 451 (Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman) [Facebook, 1993]

Pope Silvester and the Council of Nicaea (vs. James White) [August 1997]

Was Medieval Ecclesiology “Fallibilist Conciliarism”? [1-10-04]

Conciliarism: “Orthodox” Option in Medieval Catholicism? [1-20-04]

Does Papal History Contradict Catholic Ecclesiology? [1-20-04]

Council of Constance (1414-18): Triumph or Death of Conciliarism? [5-2-04]

Council of Nicea: Reply to James White: Its Relationship to Pope Sylvester, Athanasius’ Views, & the Unique Preeminence of Catholic Authority [4-2-07]

Papal Participation in the First Seven Ecumenical Councils [4-22-09]
*

The Papacy & Conciliarity (or, Collegiality): How Popes Routinely Consult & Involve Bishops, Priests, & Laity Prior to Momentous Decrees [9-13-14]

Peter Kwasniewski: Gotta Exorcise Vatican I (1870) [12-4-20]

Which Has More Authority: A Pope or an Ecumenical Council? [National Catholic Register, 5-19-21]

Did Peter or James Preside at the Jerusalem Council? (And Was it the Prototype of Ecumenical Councils or Merely a Local Synod?) [5-21-21]

VIDEO: Sola Scriptura Annihilated by the Book of Acts Alone [see also the transcript of the initial presentation] [with Kenny Burchard at Catholic Bible Highlights, 12-10-25]

Jerusalem Council & Ecclesial Infallibility: 50 Proofs [12-12-25]

VIII. DISAGREEING WITH OR TRYING TO PERSUADE POPES / HONOR AND RESPECT FOR POPES / POPE-BASHING

***** Pope Francis Controversies: I Basically Stopped Explaining Things in Early 2022; Please Search What I Already Have; the Resources Are There For You [Facebook, 9-14-24]

Denunciations of Incessant Bashing of Pope Francis [2-22-15]

Is Pope Francis Wrong? Thoughts on the “Filial Correction” [9-24-17]

Radical Reactionary Affinities in “Filial Correction” Signatories [9-28-17]

On Rebuking Popes & Catholic Obedience to Popes [12-27-17]

On Rebuking Popes & Obedience to Popes, Part II [12-28-17]

Fr. Angel Sotelo on the Scandal of the Current Pope-Bashing [Facebook, 1-4-18]

Negative Reactionary Views of Popes Since 1958 [3-18-18]

Honoring Popes / Scriptural Honor of Even Wicked Rulers [11-30-17; some additions on 3-26-18]

Pope-Criticism: Vigorous Exchanges w Karl Keating [3-27-18]

Do I Think Popes Can Never be Criticized for Any Reason? Nope. (I Respectfully Criticize the Prudence of Pope Francis’ Repeated Interviews with an Atheist Who Lies About Him [Eugenio Scalfari]) [3-31-18]

Olson’s Nitpicking, Persnickety Guide to Gaudete et Exsultate [4-10-18]

Honoring Popes (Even Alleged “Bad” Ones) as Persons [4-11-18]

Are Pope-Critics Evil? Reply to Karl Keating [4-13-18]

Why Have Popes At All if We Reject Papal Guidance? [8-4-18]

Protestant Champion Jerry Walls Notes the Obvious: Many Catholics Think Like Protestants, With Regard to the Authority of the Pope and the Rule of Faith [Facebook, 8-7-18]

Pope Francis Accusers Reject Magisterial Teaching on Popes (The pope’s teaching is indefectible and cannot be judged or “overruled” by any man: or even an ecumenical council) [7-23-20]

St. Paul’s Rebuke of St. Peter = Francis-Bashing? [8-19-20]

If We Have to Constantly Defend Holy Scripture, How Much More the Pope? [Facebook, 10-23-20]

Kwasniewski vs. Cdl. Newman Re Pope- & Council-Bashing [12-3-20]

Pope Francis: Popes Can be Respectfully Criticized [7-21-21]

Did Pope Francis Rebuke Pelosi Re Abortion? (And Why One Seeming Methodological Approach Towards the “Right” and a Very Different One Towards the “Left”?) [10-11-21]

Erasmus’ Criticism of Popes = Today’s Pope-Bashing? [11-10-21]

On the Last Three Popes’ Appointments of Cardinals: Traditionalists Have a Valid Point About Bad Appointments and the Disastrous Appeasement of Theological Liberals in the Church [7-18-22]

“Lying about the Holy Father is a mortal sin” [Facebook discussion thread, 8-22-22]

Pope St. Pius X on Obedience to the Pope + Great Group Discussion [Facebook, 5-19-23]

Ed Feser’s “Respectful and Reserved Criticism” of the Holy Father (?) [Catholic365, 11-29-23]

Bible on the Disgraceful Attitude & Behavior of So Many Pope-Bashers [Facebook, 12-24-23]

Bible on Deference to Popes & Leaders, & Disobedience [12-26-23]

Get it Right! Yours Truly on Papal Criticism (from the Year 2000) and on My Distinctions Among Papal Critics (2018) [Facebook, 1-13-24]

Pope-Criticism: Ultra-Rare, Private, & Saintly (Reply to Clueless Accusations That I Supposedly Think Popes Should Never be Criticized At All, & Make No Distinctions Whatsoever Concerning Papal Critics) [1-15-24]

St. Ignatius of Antioch [50-110 or 117] on Submission to the Bishop [Facebook, 1-25-24]

We Can’t Disagree with Mere Political Opinions of Popes? St. Cdl. Newman Disagrees [Facebook, 2-13-25]

In Case You’re Wondering What Steve Ray Really Thought About Pope Francis [Facebook, 5-4-25]

IX. PAPAL SCANDALS / “BAD POPES”

***** Pope Francis Controversies: I Basically Stopped Explaining Things in Early 2022; Please Search What I Already Have; the Resources Are There For You [Facebook, 9-14-24]

Dialogue on (Supposedly Fallible) Pope Honorius [1997]

Honorius: Disproof of Papal Infallibility? [2007]

Resisting Heretic Popes: Classic Catholic Reflections [12-1-07]

“Bad Popes”: How Many Were There? [12-17-07]

Bad Popes: Replies to a Sincere Inquirer [5-27-08]
*

Some Bad Popes = Ditch the Papacy? (vs. Calvin #22) [6-29-09]

Bad Popes / Indefectibility / John XXII (vs. Calvin #24) [6-30-09]

Can a Pope be a Heretic or Authoritatively Declare Heresy? [2-3-17]

Armstrong vs. Collins & Walls #11: Good & Bad Monothelite Heretics (Honorius & Wm. Lane Craig) [10-22-17]
*

Don’t Confuse Papal Infallibility with Impeccability [Facebook, 8-31-18]

Reactionary Signees of Easter “Heresy” Letter (13 of 19) [5-6-19]

Ecclesiological Errors of “Easter Letter” Reactionaries Summed Up (That is, Ones Not Specifically Related to Pope Francis: Especially Vatican II as the Big Bad Wolf) [5-9-19]

Papal Critics Concede: No Proof of Canonical Papal Heresy [5-10-19]

Reactionary Infiltration of Taylor Marshall’s Book, Infiltration [5-30-19]

Pope Francis Accusers Reject Magisterial Teaching on Popes (The pope’s teaching is indefectible and cannot be judged or “overruled” by any man: or even an ecumenical council) [7-23-20]

Pastor Aeternus (1870): Can a Pope Ever Make Heresy Binding? (Dr. Robert Fastiggi and Ron Conte; edited by Dave Armstrong, in Response to Timothy Flanders) [12-1-20]

Kwasniewski vs. Cdl. Newman Re Pope- & Council-Bashing [12-3-20]

Pope Francis: Most Theological Errors? (Ed Feser) [8-26-22]

Post-Vatican II “Liberal” Popes [Ch. 13 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; revised in November 2023 for the purpose of the free online version) ] [11-25-23]

Ed Feser’s “Respectful and Reserved Criticism” of the Holy Father (?) [Catholic365, 11-29-23]

X. DID POPES CLAIM TO BE GOD? / POPES AS ANTICHRIST?

Debate: The Anti-Catholic “Pope as God” Argument [1-1-99]

Popes Claimed to be God? / Pope as Antichrist (vs. Calvin #23) [6-30-09]
*

What Year Did Popes Become Antichrist? (vs. John Calvin) [3-11-10]
*

Pope St. Pius V Claimed to be God (Say Anti-Catholics) [2-11-11]

Did a Bishop Say Pope St. John Paul II was God? [2-11-11]

“Pope is God”: Similar Rhetoric from Luther & Bullinger [2-24-11]

XI. VEN. POPE PIUS XII AND THE NAZI HOLOCAUST

[see the many links on my Jews, Judaism, & Old Testament page]

XII. POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II

Why Not Kick Modernist Dissenters Out of the Church? [3-7-02]
*

Pope St. John Paul II: Tribute & Many Links [4-2-05]

“Nothing New”: Reactionary Attacks on Pope St. John Paul II [4-9-05]

Neo-Scholastic Thomism & Popes John Paul II & Benedict XVI [5-5-06]

The Remarkable Joint Cooperation of Pope St. John Paul II and Campus Crusade for Christ [Facebook, 11-29-07]

Did a Bishop Say Pope St. John Paul II was God? [2-11-11]

Did Pope St. John Paul II Teach Universalism? [4-26-11]

Taylor Marshall: Looks Like Pope John Paul II Was a Stinkin’ Liberal Like All the Rest of ‘Em [Facebook, 5-30-19]

John Paul II Kissing the Koran: Dialogue with Traditionalists [2012; new Introduction added on 6-4-19] [6-4-19]

Was Pope St. John Paul II a “Modernist”? [Ch. 15 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; revised in November 2023 for the purpose of the free online version)] [11-27-23]

XIII. POPE BENEDICT XVI

Cdl Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI): Vatican II Authority = Trent [5-20-05]

Neo-Scholastic Thomism & Popes John Paul II & Benedict XVI [5-5-06]

Benedict and Clergy Sexual Abuse: Decisive and Aggressive Action (Judy Roberts; National Catholic Register, 3-5-13)
*

Pope Francis and Pope Benedict Refer to “Extreme Traditionalism” [8-5-13]

Peter Kwasniewski, Fr. Thomas Kocik and a Growing Chorus Disagree with Pope Benedict XVI Regarding the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite Mass (Or, Reports of the Death of the Reform of the Reform are Greatly Exaggerated) [+ Part Two] [2-24-14]

Who’s Defending Pope Benedict’s Summorum Pontificum Now? [2-26-14]

Pope St. John XXIII & Pope Benedict XVI on “Prophets of Doom” [6-9-14]

Michael Voris on Pope Benedict’s “Immoral” Resignation, Questionable Illness [12-15-15]

Ratzinger “Banal” Quote: Traditionalist & Reactionary Misuse [12-17-15]

Chris Ferrara vs. Pope Benedict XVI (New Mass) [12-18-15]

Did Cardinal Burke Criticize Pope Benedict’s Resignation? [1-13-18]
*

Illogic & Silliness Re Benedict-Francis “Blurring” Incident [3-17-18]
*

Reactionaries Begin Savage Attacks on Pope Benedict [3-17-18]
*

Negative Reactionary Views of Popes Since 1958 [3-18-18]

Pope Benedict XVI’s Own “Who Am I to Judge?” Moment (Judas) [Facebook, 3-29-18]
*

Verrecchio Trashes Pope Benedict as Wicked Lying Hypocrite [4-2-18]

The Late John Vennari of Catholic Family News (Reactionary) Was Already Ditching and Trashing Pope Benedict in 2008 [Facebook, 4-3-18]
*

Benedict XVI essay: “The Church and the scandal of sexual abuse” (Catholic News Agency, 4-10-19)

Superstition About the “Preserved” High Altar at Notre Dame (And Continued Cynical, Highly Selective, “Pick and Choose” Acceptance of the Teaching of Pope Benedict XVI) [4-17-19]

Taylor Marshall: Pope Benedict XVI’s Love of Tradition is Mostly Mere Aesthetics, Not Doctrinal [Facebook, 5-30-19]

Pope Benedict’s Enthusiastic Approval of Pope Francis [11-27-19]

Bill Donohue Claims I’m on the “Left” & Dislike Pope Benedict (!!!) [1-3-20]

Pope Benedict Eschews Co-Authorship; Ignatius Says “No!” [1-14-20]

Pseudo-Pope Skojo III Rebukes Real Pope Benedict XVI [5-9-20]

Viganò’s Outrageous Lie Re Pope Benedict XVI & Tradition (Unwillingness to Make Even Rudimentary Efforts to Consult Context or to Understand a Pope’s Overall Thinking) [8-21-20]

Pope Francis Did Answer the Dubia (Dr. Robert Fastiggi) (It Was Also Answered [with the Same Answers] by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2019) [9-27-21]

My Response to Phillip Campbell’s (“Boniface” ‘) Criticisms of Pope Benedict XVI on his blog, Unam Sanctam Catholicam [Facebook, 1-29-23]

XIV. POPE FRANCIS

***** Pope Francis Controversies: I Basically Stopped Explaining Things in Early 2022; Please Search What I Already Have; the Resources Are There For You [Facebook, 9-14-24]

Pope Francis Defended: Resources for Confused or Troubled Folks [Links page]

Pope Francis, Foot-Washing, & Humility (Pete Vere & Dave Armstrong) [3-13-13 and 3-30-13]

Radical Catholic Reactionary Super-Site Rorate Caeli‘s “Cherished Friend” and Featured Pope-Basher, Marcelo González, is a Holocaust Revisionist [4-8-13]

Pope Francis and Pope Benedict Refer to “Extreme Traditionalism” [8-5-13]

Discussion on the Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, Especially in Relation to Radical Catholic Reactionaries [Facebook, 11-26-13]

Random Thoughts on Rush Limbaugh’s Comments on the Pope’s Alleged “Marxism” [Facebook, 12-5-13]

Dialogue: Has Pope Francis Changed the Constant Catholic Prohibition of Contraception? [1-2-14]

Folks Willing to Understand Pope Francis, Can; Unwilling Won’t [1-18-14]

Is Pope Francis Guilty of Blasphemy and Departure from All Catholic Mariological Tradition in His Comments on the Possible Momentary Temptation of Mary at the Cross? [1-19-14]

Books by Dave Armstrong: Pope Francis Explained: Survey of Myths, Legends, and Catholic Defenses in Harmony with Tradition (+ Introduction) [1-22-14]

Does Pope Francis Think that Jesus Was a Sinner? (. . . Beyond Bearing Our Sins on the Cross; i.e., Partaking / Entering Into Sin)? [2-27-14]

Opposition to Extreme Anti-Francis Bias: Elliot Bougis [2-28-14]

Swishy Bishops, Liberal Dissidents, & “PR” Regarding Pope Francis [3-6-14]

Exchange on Pope Francis and the Church (vs. Tony Jokin) [Facebook, 12-17-14]

Documentation: Pope Francis is Othodox, Pro-Tradition, and Against Modernism [Dan Marcum, Catholic Answers Forum, 1-9-15] [see also a compact, abridged 13-point Facebook version]

Pope Francis and Catholics Reproducing Like “Rabbits” (+ Facebook discussion) [1-21-15]

“Irresponsible” Pope Francis? (Woman Who Had Seven C-Sections) [1-23-15]

Pope Francis: 7 C-Sections is “Irresponsible” (Group Discussion) [1-23-15]

Facebook Threads Regarding Whether Pope Francis is Being “Bashed” (+ Part Two / Part III) [2-21-15]

Why is Pope Francis So Loved by Theological Liberals? [2-21-15]

Critique of Chris Ferrara’s Radical Reactionary Hit-Piece in Opposition to Pope Francis’ Christian Environmentalism [6-20-15]

Confused or Perplexed About Pope Francis? Possible Relief! [8-18-15]

Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato si: A Beautiful and Profoundly Wise Statement of Christian Environmentalism and Theology of Creation [9-11-15]

Forcing Pope Francis Into Our Own Image [9-18-15]

Reply to Dr. Phil Blosser’s Critique of My Book, Pope Francis Explained [9-24-15]

Must the Pope Explicitly Mention Abortion to Congress? [9-24-15]

Pope Francis’ Strongly Pro-Life Comments to the UN (“Both/And”!) [9-25-15]

The Ridiculous “Anti-Francis” Mentality: My Theory in Brief [12-7-15]

Pope Francis Espoused a Sinning Jesus? Think Again [1-8-16]

On the Endless Second-Guessing of Pope Francis [2-25-16]

Douthat’s Flawed Critique of “Conservative” Catholicism (and Pope Francis) [3-2-16]

Pope Francis Foot-Washing Controversy Redux [3-26-16]

Amoris Laetitia: Pope Francis’ “1968 Moment” [4-8-16]

Defenses of Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia [4-9-16]

Classic Reactionaryism: Skojec Disses Cardinal Burke (Over Amoris Laetitia) [4-12-16]

More Defenses of Amoris Laetitia & Pope Francis [4-26-16]

Dialogue: “Bad” Bishops & “Confusing” Francis (vs. Dr. Peter Kwasniewski) [4-28-16]

Satan Loves Divisions Regarding Amoris Laetitia [5-2-16]

Dialogue: Amoris Laetitia: Confusing or No? [5-3-16]

Amoris Laetitia, “Trads” & Reactionaries [5-4-16]

Buzzing, Mosquito-Like Trashers of Amoris Laetitia [5-6-16]

Pope Francis: Obsessed with “Change”? [5-14-16]
*

“Confusing” Pope Francis & Prudent Public Discussion [6-22-16]

Ratzinger: Avoid Criticizing Church in “Mass Media” [6-26-16]

Removal of my Post: “Prudence of Public Pope Criticism (Debate)” [Facebook, 6-27-16]

The Real & the Imaginary Pope Francis [6-28-16]

Pope Francis Condemns Evangelism? Absolutely Not! [10-17-16]
*

Amoris Laetitia Has Already Been Clarified Many Times, Including by High-Ranking Cardinals (+ very vigorous Facebook discussion) [11-16-16]

Pope Francis: Please Answer Cardinal Burke Et Al [12-1-16]

Is Pope Francis a Heretic?: Options and Respectful Speculations on the Synod on the Family, Amoris Laetitia and Practical Applications (+ Facebook discussion) [12-13-16]

Is Pope Francis Wrong? Thoughts on the “Filial Correction” [9-24-17]

Papal Answers Would Only Help Resolve the Growing Crisis [9-26-17]

Radical Reactionary Affinities in “Filial Correction” Signatories [9-28-17]

I Hope the Pope Will Provide Some Much-Needed Clarity (Re: Answering the Dubia) [National Catholic Register, 9-30-17]

Dr. Robert Fastiggi Defends Amoris Laetitia Against Critics [10-3-17]
*

Should Pope Francis Respond to all the Questioners, “Correctors” and Confused Masses? [Facebook, 10-4-17]
*

Dr. Fastiggi & Dr. Goldstein Debate Dr. Shaw Regarding Pope Francis (see additional Facebook discussion) [10-9-17]
*

Dr. Joseph Shaw Apes “Reformers” (“Ambiguous” Catholic Documents) [10-11-17]

Dr. Fastiggi Replies to Dr. Brugger Regarding Amoris Laetitia [10-12-17]

Dr. Fastiggi’s “Exchange” with Correctio Signatory Chris Ferrara [10-12-17]

Reactionary Influence: Correctio & June 2016 Criticism of the Pope [1-24-18]

Pope Francis, Cardinal Newman, & Fresh (Orthodox) Presentations [1-29-18]
*

Pope Francis: Pro-Marriage & Contra “Marital Skepticism” [1-29-18]
*

Dialogue: Sharp Inquiring Protestant vs. Pope-Bashing Catholic [3-6-18]
*

Dialogues w Critics & Disparagers of Pope Francis [3-6-18]
*

Illogic & Silliness Re Benedict-Francis “Blurring” Incident [3-17-18]
*

Reactionaries Begin Savage Attacks on Pope Benedict [3-17-18]
*

Reactionary Chris Ferrara’s Lies Re Pope Francis & Hell [3-31-18]
*

Lame Reactionary Anti-Francis “No Hell” Argument [4-2-18]
*

“Everything Saved”: More Dim-Witted Bashing of Pope Re Hell [4-6-18]
*

Satan Referenced 24 Times in Gaudete et Exsultate [4-9-18]
*

Pope Francis: All Life: Preborn and Born, is “Equally Sacred” [4-9-18]
*

Olson’s Nitpicking, Persnickety Guide to Gaudete et Exsultate [4-10-18]
*

St. Paul: Far More of an “Insulter” Than Pope Francis [4-11-18]
*

Pope’s Chilean Abuse Apology Troubles Simcha Fisher [4-12-18]

Are Pope-Critics Evil? Reply to Karl Keating [4-13-18]
*

Jesus, the Death Penalty, & the Adulterous Woman [8-2-18]

Burning Heretics, Frying Murderers, & Slavery (Analogies) [8-3-18]

Yes, Virginia, the Pope Believes Mary is Immaculate [12-29-18]

Papal Ring-Kissing, Gossip, & Pharisaical Nitpicking [3-29-19]

Reactionary Signees of Easter “Heresy” Letter (13 of 19) [5-6-19]

Ecclesiological Errors of “Easter Letter” Reactionaries Summed Up (That is, Ones Not Specifically Related to Pope Francis: Especially Vatican II as the Big Bad Wolf) [5-9-19]

Papal Critics Concede: No Proof of Canonical Papal Heresy [5-10-19]

Dr. Echeverria: Francis Wants Development, Not Revolution [5-28-19]

Taylor Marshall’s Whopper: Pope Francis Denies Hellfire? [6-7-19]

Taylor Marshall Lies About Pope Francis & Divorce [6-8-19]

No, Pope Francis Did Not Deny Transubstantiation (Phenomenological Language in Holy Scripture and in the Addresses of Pope Francis) [6-25-19]

Brief Exchange with a Sedevacantist Regarding Pope Francis [Facebook, 6-25-19]

Does Pope Francis Deny the Catholic Doctrine of Merit? No [7-1-19]

Pope Francis & Transubstantiation (vs. Sedevacantists) [7-2-19]

Am I a “Pope Francis Defender”? (Statement of Intent & Purpose) [11-5-19]

Being Anti-Francis is Apparently Far and Away the Most Important Thing for Millions of Catholics These Days. God Help Us! [11-12-19]

Is Pope Francis Against Apologetics & Defending the Faith? [11-26-19]

“Confusing” Pope Francis & Ignorant, Lazy Lay Catholics [11-27-19]

Pope Benedict’s Enthusiastic Approval of Pope Francis [11-27-19]

Hysterical Reactionaries Opposed Pope Francis from Day One (The “inside story” — from Hilary White — of what happened among a cadre of well-known fanatical reactionaries on the very night Pope Francis was elected) [12-3-19]

“Ambiguity”: Classic Reactionary Talking Point & Mantra [12-5-19]

Pope St. John Paul II Respectfully Referred to Pachamama (+ Orthodox Catholic References to “Mother Earth” and Similar Biblical Motifs) [12-13-19]

Pope Francis vs. the Marian Title “Co-Redemptrix”? (+ Documentation of Pope Francis’ and Other Popes’ Use of the Mariological Title of Veneration: “Mother of All”) [12-16-19]

Debate: Pope Francis on Doctrine, Truth, & Evangelizing (vs. Dr. Eduardo Echeverria) [12-16-19]

Pope Francis’ Deep Devotion to Mary (Esp. Mary Mediatrix) [12-23-19]

Pope Francis’ Emphasis on Criticizing Reactionaries (A Theory) [12-30-19]

Pope Francis’ Slap & Loss of Temper (Close Examination) [1-2-20]

Dialogue: Pope Francis vs. Gospel Preaching & Converts? No! (vs. Eric Giunta) [1-3-20]

Reactionaries and Other Pope-Bashers Have a Ready “Answer” to Every Proof of Pope Francis’ Orthodoxy: He’s Simply Lying Through His Teeth! [Facebook, 1-3-20]

Pope Francis (and Others) and Analogies to Jesus (Explanation of a Widely Misunderstood Aspect of Analogical Arguments) [1-6-20]

Pope Francis: Strong Defender of Priestly Celibacy [1-14-20]

Pope’s Querida Amazonia: Reactionaries Step in it Again [2-13-20]

Dialogue w Timothy Flanders #2: State of Emergency? [2-25-20]

Dr. Fastiggi Defends Pope Francis Re “Pachamama Idolatry” [3-3-20]

Pope Francis vs. the Gospel? Outrageous & Absurd Lies! (Anti-Catholic Protestant James White and Catholic Reactionary Steve Skojec Echo Each Other’s Gigantic Whoppers) [5-26-20]

Legalism Re Pope Francis & Papal Attire (Mozzetta) [7-10-20]

Fratelli tutti: Love is Great; How to Best Apply It? [10-8-20]

Steve Skojec: Pope Sez Death Penalty is Intrinsically Evil (?) [10-8-20]

Death Penalty, Reactionaries, & a Devious Liar-Pope? [10-10-20]

Three Popes & Capital Punishment (vs. Ed Feser) (with Catholic Theologian Dr. Robert Fastiggi) [10-20-20]

Pope Francis, Same-Sex Unions, & Chicken Little Mass Hysteria [10-22-20]

Pope Francis & the Diversity of Religions (The Sedevacantist Outfit Novus Ordo Watch Lies Yet Again About Pope Francis) [11-29-20]

Kwasniewski vs. Cdl. Newman Re Pope- & Council-Bashing [12-3-20]

Kwasniewski vs. Pope Francis Re “Fundamentalism” (Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI Fully Concur with Pope Francis) [12-9-20]

Pope Francis’ Proper Use of the Term “Fundamentalism” (. . . and the Similar Sociologically Proper Use of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope St. John Paul II) [12-28-20]

Dr. Fastiggi on Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis, & Aquinas [2-1-21]

Fr. Z Asks for Pro-Francis “Compendium”. I Provide It [3-9-21]

“Gay Unions”: Leftist & Reactionary Catholics vs. Pope & CDF [3-23-21]

Pope Francis vs. Same-Sex “Marriage”: The Record [3-25-21]

Fr. Peter Stravinskas & Irrational Pope Francis-Bashing: Sad Case Study in Taking the Holy Father’s Words Out of Context and Indefensibly Misrepresenting Them [4-15-21]

Pope Francis: Indissoluble Marriage & No Divorce (+ Analysis of Ed Feser’s “Doctrinally Problematic” Criticisms) [6-1-21]

Ed Feser, Pope Francis, Divorce, “Ambiguity”, & Implosion [6-3-21]

Did I Say Ed Feser Called Pope Francis a Heretic? (+ Further Exchanges Back-and-Forth with Ed Feser) [6-4-21]

Pope Francis’ Satanic, Demonic, & Hellish Views [6-7-21]

Pope Francis’ “Endorsement” of Fr. James Martin, SJ (Does it Entail a Denial of Church Teaching on Gravely Disordered Homosexual Sex?) [6-30-21]

Pope Francis’ Traditionis Custodes is for the Sake of Unity [7-16-21]

Skojec Loathes Traditionis; Illustrates Why it is Necessary [7-19-21]

Catholics (?) Trash, Judge, & Mind-Read the Pope (In 1968, “all” the liberal Catholics rejected Humanae Vitae. Now in 2021, “all” the self-described “conservative” Catholics reject Traditionis Custodes — and none see the outright absurdity and irony of this) [7-20-21]

Traditionalist Fr. Chad Ripperger Critiques Traditionalism [7-21-21]

Traditionis Custodes: Sky Hasn’t Fallen (Bishops) [8-2-21]

The Orthodoxy of Pope Francis [9-6-21]

“Pope Francis is So Confusing!”: A Spirited Reply (The Sad and Slanderous Promotion of a “False Narrative” Concerning Pope Francis’ Supposedly Massive Errors) [9-7-21]
*

Pope Francis Talks of Gospel Freedom; Naysayers Go Bonkers [9-15-21]

Reply to Fr. Thomas Weinandy: Pope Francis a Heretic? [9-21-21]

Pope Francis Did Not Say EWTN = “Work of the Devil” (Case Study in “Conservative” Catholic Media Bias, Which is Becoming as Problematic as Mainstream Liberal Media Bias) [9-22-21]

How Dare Pope Francis Defend the Church! (He’s Supposed to Not Utter a Peep About All the Slanderous, Worthless Gossip & Rumormongering Today Among Catholics) [9-24-21]

Some Catholics Hope Pope Francis Dies? Yes . . . [9-25-21]

Pope Francis Did Answer the Dubia (Dr. Robert Fastiggi) (It Was Also Answered [with the Same Answers] by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2019) [9-27-21]

Pope Francis the “Heterodox Liberal” (?????) (He’s Against Contraception, Cohabitation, Same-Sex “Marriage”, Abortion, Euthanasia, & Biomedical Reproduction Technology: in Five Paragraphs) [9-29-21]

Review: The Orthodoxy of Amoris Laetitia (Pedro Gabriel) [5-10-22]

Pope Francis: Most Theological Errors? (Ed Feser) [8-26-22]

Exchange w “Traditionalist” Apologist- & Pope-Basher [7-10-23]

Pope Francis Has Answered the Five Dubia in His Teachings (+ Legitimate Biblical & Spiritual Reasons for His Not Directly Answering Particularly Accusatory, Ill-Willed, & Wrongminded Critics) [8-3-23]

Leila Marie Lawler: Self-Appointed Pope-Basher / Papal Indefectibility Dogmatized at Vatican I [Facebook, 9-27-23]
*

Tragic Bp. Strickland & Reaction from the Usual Suspects [11-14-23]
*

Did Pope Francis Succeed St. Peter? Reply to Steve Ray [5-3-25]
*

XV. POPE FRANCIS: PHIL LAWLER’S HIT-PIECE, LOST SHEPHERD

Quasi-Defectibility and Phil Lawler vs. Pope Francis (see also more documentation of Lawler’s reactionary leanings, on the Facebook thread) [12-28-17]
*

Dialogues with Karl Keating & Phil Lawler on Pope Francis [12-29-17]
*

Dialogues with Karl Keating Regarding Pope Francis [12-29-17]
*

Lawler vs. Pope Francis #1: Critique of Introduction [1-1-18]

Lawler vs. Pope Francis #2: Homosexuality & “Judging” [1-2-18]

Lawler vs. Pope Francis #3: The Pope Annihilated Hell? [1-2-18]

Lawler vs. Pope Francis #4: Communion / Buenos Aires Letter [1-3-18]

Lawler vs. Pope Francis #5: Jerusalem Council vs. “Ideology” [1-3-18]

My Critiques of Lawler’s Lost Shepherd / Exchanges w Karl Keating [1-7-18]
*

Shock! Former Catholic Rod Dreher Loves Lawler’s Pope-Bashing Book [2-22-18]

Phil Lawler’s Lost Shepherd: My One-Star Amazon Review [2-26-18]

Popes Leading the Church Into False Doctrine (E.g., Paul VI) (+ Facebook discussion) [3-8-18]
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Reply to Stephen Phelan Re Phil Lawler’s Lost Shepherd [3-10-18]

Yet Another Idiotic Personal Attack Regarding My Defense of Pope Francis That I Make Short Work of [Facebook, 3-10-18]

Phil Lawler’s Mythical Private Letter (Unfruitful Discussion) [3-10-18]
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Merits of Phil Lawler’s Lost Shepherd: Three Common Fallacies [3-12-18]
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Protestant Takes Solace in Douthat’s Pope-Bashing Book (also discusses Phil Lawler) [3-24-18]
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Pope Francis, Hell, Phil Lawler, Lies, Damned Lies, . . . [3-30-18]
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Lawler Hypocritically Acts Like He Claims Pope Francis Does [4-28-18]
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Marshall, Keating, & Lawler: Exchanges Re Pope Francis (Setting the Record Straight: My Supposedly “Personal” & Unsavory Exchanges with Karl Keating, Phil & Leila Lawler, & Taylor Marshall) [7-28-18, 2-27-20, and 3-4 December 2020]

Chris Ferrara & My Debates w Keating & Lawler Re Pope Francis [1-1-18 and 1-2-18; minor additions and changes: 9-25-20]

Phil Lawler: No Proof Pope Francis is a Heretic [3-5-21]

XVI. POPE FRANCIS: ROSS DOUTHAT’S HIT-PIECE, TO CHANGE THE CHURCH

Douthat’s Flawed Critique of “Conservative” Catholicism [3-2-16]

Protestant Takes Solace in Douthat’s Pope-Bashing Book [3-24-18]
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Douthat’s To Change the Church: Mini-Debate w Karl Keating [3-24-18]
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Douthat’s Pope-Bashing Book Attacks Vatican II [3-24-18]

Debate on Ross Douthat’s Critical Views of Vatican II [3-26-18]
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XVII. POPE FRANCIS: HENRY SIRE’S HIT-PIECE, THE DICTATOR POPE

Henry Sire of Dictator Pope Infamy: Reactionary Extremist [3-27-18]
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XVIII. POPE FRANCIS: KARL KEATING’S TOME, THE FRANCIS FEUD

Keating & The Francis Feud: Six Errors Documented [6-2-18]
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Review of Keating’s Francis Feud Removed, w Apology [12-24-18]
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XIX. POPE FRANCIS: ARCHBISHOP VIGANO’S RANTINGS

Bishops Viganò & Schneider Reject Authority of Vatican II [11-22-19]

Viganò, Schneider, Pachamama, & VCII (vs. Janet E. Smith) [11-25-19]

Abp. Viganó Descends into Fanatical Reactionary Nuthood (. . . Declares Pope Francis a Heretical Narcissist Who “Desacralized” & “Impugned” & “Attack[ed]” Mary) [12-20-19]

Abp. Viganò: Fanaticism, Extremism, and Conspiratorialism (Summary from August 2019 Until July 2020: Alarming, Increasingly Quasi-Schismatic Spirit) [7-13-20]

XX. POPE LEO XIV

Pope Leo XIV (First American Pope) [Facebook, 5-8-25]

Will I be “Defending” Pope Leo XIV? [Facebook, 5-9-25]

Meaning[s] of “First American Pope”: A Mini-Would-Be Debate [Facebook, 5-9-25]

Pope Leo XIV’s Profound Early Missionary Activities in Peru [Facebook, 5-9-25]

Pope Leo XIV’s First Homily as Pope [Facebook, 5-9-25]

Information About the Augustinian Order [Facebook, 5-9-25]

On Pope Leo XIV’s Political Statements: Particularly on Iran [Facebook, 4-15-26]

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Practical Matters: This is the most comprehensive and multi-faceted Catholic apologetics blog: rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT. I offer more than 5,000 free online articles, fifty-nine books, and many scores of videos at the Catholic Bible Highlights YouTube channel (please subscribe!). If you believe my full-time apostolate is worth supporting, please seriously consider financially supporting it. PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: [email protected]. You’ll see the term “Dave Armstrong Bookstore”. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle and 100% tax-deductible donations if desired), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million!

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Last updated on 12 September 2026

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