Yes, the pope is gone back to Rome. But now is the time to process and learn. So let's continue with a few more papacy-related quizzes, this time about married popes. Huh? Yes, we're pretty sure Benedict XVI isn't married. But what about the other 264?
Q: Is it true that some popes were married and had children?
Read more from the papal answer man, Chris Bellitto and his new book, 101 Questions on Popes and the Papacy.
A: Yes, throughout history we find popes who were married—including Peter, whose mother-in-law was healed by Jesus—and had children.
Celibacy as the absolute and enforced norm may have been on the books in the first millennium, but it was not always followed until about the eleventh century, when popes began to crack down on priests with children, not least because priests were handing down their profession, church property, and sacred vessels and vestments in something of an apprenticeship or family business operation.
During the Renaissance, men who openly had mistresses and children were elected pope, though it is hard to prove that they fathered children while pope.
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To Whom it may concern:
Many thanks for the excellent broadcasting of the Pope's visit to the U.S.this past week. The Commentators did a great job in telling us what was happening. I know the first name was Bill but I don't remember the others.
Please know, I watch Fox News most of the time and try to encourage others to watch it also. I like the way it tries to present all sides of a story or in political views. Bill O'Reilly ois one of my favorites as is Bill and his co-host.
Thank you for all your fine work.
Sister Mary Alice Mannix