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Q&A

Does papal infallibility mean the pope is perfect or inerrant?

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).

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