What are the anti-Popes? How did they become Popes & what did they do?

Thank you.

-- Anonymous, June 05, 1998

Answers

Response to Who & what are the antiiPopes?

Hi Gerry,

At various times in the Church's history, there have been some who have denied that the current Pope is truly Pope (eg, they argue that he wasn't validly elected). At times, the Emperor of one country would not like the Pope that was installed in Rome and so would install his own Pope!

The anti-Popes were never Pope. There is only ever one valid Pope at a time.

Did you know that there are some groups who argue that John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I and John Paul II are all manifest heretics and are therefore not valid Popes? There are people in the US and Canada (and elsewhere) who consider themselves to be the true Pope!

God bless, Paul McLachlan

PS. For more information, you might check out the Catholic Enyclopedia site at
-- Anonymous, June 23, 1998