Catholic Diocese Of Joliet

Do we, as Catholics, understand what it is to have a Pope? We tend to think of people in high office to be servants of the people. That's the nature of democratic government. That thought isn't the same as how the Church thinks. People wonder what changes will a new Pope bring about. However, the pope is, fundamentally, a stand-in for Christ. The pope is the vicar of Christ on earth. Christ is always the head of the Church. The Church is guided by the Holy Spirit. No political party or civil government can claim the power of the Holy Spirit. What the church teaches comes from Christ. People think the times change so the Church should change, too. Doctrine has to do with truth, which doesn't change. The Church is the guardian of doctrine, not the creator of doctrine.