Apostolic
Having to do with the 12 apostles or their teachings. This term is also sometimes used in Catholic circles as a synonym for “papal,” as the Pope is seen as the successor to the Apostles.
Papal
Having to do with the Pope or the Roman Catholic Church.
Pontiff
The title of certain religious leaders and high priests, now used mainly for the Pope.

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» Making the Pope Infallible | Antichrist | Roman Catholic Church

The Counter Reformation: Making the Pope Infallible
The reformers fought against the belief that the Pope has absolute authority, but the Roman Church continues to spread this doctrine.

The infallibility and absolute authority of the Pope was another Catholic doctrine questioned by the reformers. Father Bonaventure Hinwood, spokesman for the Catholic Church, confirms this doctrine as follows:

It is obvious that the Church cannot fall into error in carrying out this service towards divine revelation. But if the Pope is the center and guarantee of this unity, and if he enjoys full authority in matters of faith and morals, then it follows that he, too, cannot lead the Church into error in matters concerning divine revelation.

There is only one body that carries the supreme apostolic authority in the church, and that is the College of Bishops in union with its head, the Pope. Thus whenever the Pope makes full use of his power as visible head of the Church, he acts as head of the Apostolic College. This is why Vatican I insisted that when the Pope exercises his supreme teaching authority, he is protected from error by that same infallibility which Christ willed for His Church. The Cardinals designate the new Pope. On the new Pope’s acceptance of this designation, he receives directly from Christ all the power necessary for the exercise of the papal ministry. These include the charisma of infallibility.i

That is akin to making the Pope God. In 1302, Pope Boniface VIII proclaimed this:

We define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff.ii

In 1894, Pope Leo XIII said this:

We have constantly sought during the whole course of Our Pontificate and striven, as far as it was possible, by teaching and action, to bind every Nation and people more closely to Us, and make manifest everywhere the salutary influence of the See of Rome…We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty.iii

This doctrine of papal infallibility is strong evidence that the Roman Catholic Church is the Antichrist—the one that will try to take the place of Christ. The apostle Paul cited this type of pride as the Antichrist’s greatest crime:

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

Ahead to The Effects of the Counter Reformation

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i. Bonaventure Hinwood, More Answers to Your Questions (Human & Rousseau, 1983).

ii. Pope Boniface VIII, Papal Bull Unam Sanctam (November 18, 1302).

iii. Pope Leo XIII, Praeclara Gratulationis Publicae (June 20, 1894).