PONTIFF, POPE, AND VICAR OF CHRIST

In light of the excitement over the recent election of Pope Francis I, I thought we might want to look at his new titles, in order to understand the office he now holds.  There are many names given to a man in his position, but the most common are "Pontiff," "Pope," and "Vicar of Christ."  Here is what the Catholic Dictionary had to say about these terms, as opposed to what the Bible has to say:

Pontiff

Catholic Dictionary - "High Priest, and therefore any bishop, as successor of the Apostles. Now reserved as the title of the Pope. In pre-Christian times, the pontifices were the chief priests of Rome and were given this name either because they were "bridge builders" (pontem facere), between the gods and men, or because they offered sacrifice (puntis)." 

Bible - "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus" (Heb. 3:1).  "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession" (Heb. 4:14).  "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens" (Heb. 8:1).

Pope

Catholic Dictionary - "Title of the visible head of the Catholic Church. He is called Pope (Greek pappas, a child's word for father) because his authority is supreme and because it is to be exercised in a paternal way, after the example of Christ."

Bible - "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven" (Mt. 23:9).  "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth" (Mt. 28:18).

Vicar of Christ

Catholic Dictionary - "The Pope, visible head of the Church on earth, acting for and in the place of Christ. He possesses supreme ecclesiastical authority in the Catholic church."

Bible - "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come" (Jn. 16:13).  "These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.  But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as (He) hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him" (1 Jn. 2:26-27). 

You choose:  Man's religion or God's revelation!