Pope Benedict XVI on Infallibility

PETER SEEWALD: Is the Pope really “infallible”, in the sense that the media sometimes bandy that term about? An absolute ruler whose thinking and will are law?

POPE BENEDICT XVI: That is incorrect. The concept of infallibility developed over the course of centuries. It arose in view of the question of whether there is somewhere an ultimate authority that decides. The First Vatican Council, following a long tradition from the time of the early Christian community, finally determined that there is an ultimate decision! Everything does not remain open-ended! Under certain circumstances and under certain conditions the Pope can make final decisions that are binding, decisions that clarify what is and what is not the faith of the Church. This does not mean that the Pope can constantly issue “infallible” pronouncements. Usually the Bishop of Rome acts like any other bishop who professes his faith, who proclaims it, who is faithful in the Church. Only when certain conditions are present, when tradition has been clarified and he knows that he is not acting arbitrarily, can the Pope say: This is the faith of the Church—and denial of it is not the faith of the Church. In this sense the First Vatican Council defined the capability to make a final decision, so that the faith can maintain its binding authority.

An excerpt from Pope Benedict XVI's book LIGHT OF THE WORLD, a conversation with Peter Seewald. Available in hardcover, e-book, and audio: http://goo.gl/3CZJq