The Death of the Pope, The Bible, and The Protestant Church

This week, we have heard a lot about the death of Pope Francis, who had held the highest office in the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years. As Christians, we must recognize the dangerous teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and ensure that this time of mourning does not cause us to lower our guard. We should remain vigilant against the subtle influence of unbiblical doctrines that could obscure our understanding of the true gospel of Christ.

I want to list here a short list of statements and their respective biblical references to shed light on any uncertainties that may still exist regarding the Roman Catholic Church and the papacy:

1. There is only one head of the Church, which is Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Col. 1:18).

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (Colossians 1:18)

Believers follow Jesus alone as the supreme leader of His Church, which is His Body purchased at a high price (1Cor. 7:23).

2. There is no infallible man other than the God-Man, Jesus Christ (John 6:68; Acts 3:14; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:22; Heb. 4:15).

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Neither the Pope nor the Catholic Church is infallible, and the very fact that they claim to be so, puts them in a very questionable position, for, according to the Word of God, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)

3. Like every man, the Pope has left this world and has already faced judgment for his works in life, both good and bad. There is no point in praying for his soul or the soul of any dead person (Ecc. 12:14; Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10; Heb. 9:27).

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27)

4. Furthermore, as a person of influence, teaching, and leadership over many worldwide, he was judge with greater strictness for his erroneous teachings on many issues, such as "All religions are different paths to the same God" (John 14:6; Acts 4:12), "We are all children of God" (John 1:12-13)—regardless of faith in Jesus—, and his formal order to all Roman Catholic priests to bless same-sex relationships (Rom. 1:18-32), among other things.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. (James 3:1)

Like all humanity, the Pope's eternal destiny belongs to the Lord, who has the power to judge man, for salvation belongs to Him (Jonah 2:9). As Christians, we sympathize with those who are mourning and ask God to bring salvation to those who are still led by false doctrines, bringing them to repentance and faith by the preaching of the true gospel