Skip to main contentAccessibility feedback

Dear Catholic.com visitor: To continue providing the top Catholic resources you have come to depend on, we need your help. If you find catholic.com a useful tool, please take a moment to support the website with your donation today.

Dear Catholic.com visitor: To continue providing the top Catholic resources you have come to depend on, we need your help. If you find catholic.com a useful tool, please take a moment to support the website with your donation today.

✕
Q&A

Does Papal Infallibility Mean the Pope is Perfect or Inerrant?

Jim Blackburn

Question:

In what sense is the pope infallible? Does that mean that he is perfect or inerrant?

Answer:

Papal infallibility means that the pope is protected from error when he “proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals” (CCC 891). This does not mean that he is impeccable (incapable of sin) or inerrant (incapable of error).

Did you like this content? Please help keep us ad-free

More from Catholic.com

 

 

 

 

 
‹›
Enjoying this content?  Please support our mission!Donatewww.catholic.com/support-us