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I have been studying the Church for a while
now, and I am considering joining, however,
there is something that I can't seem to find
the answer to, and it weighs heavily on my
decision.
When Peter was given the Keys to Heaven, he
was given them directly by Jesus.
However, in modern times, the successor
Pope isn't known prior to the current Pope's
death, so, when the Pope passes on, what
happens to the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven?
Are they transferred to the Cardinals
until a new Pope is chosen?
How does it work in keeping Apostolic
Succession going?
Austin
{
When
the Pope passes on, what happens to the Keys
to the Kingdom of Heaven? }
Eric
replied:
Hi, Austin —
The keys to the kingdom of heaven
aren't like a kind of mystical hot
potato or magical ring that someone
has to possess. For that matter,
they aren't literal keys. The term
is a Hebrew idiom that refers to
authority and governance. Today we
speak of some well-respected person
being given "the keys to the
city". This doesn't refer to
anything that unlocks a door, it's
a symbol meaning that they are welcomed
and honored by the citizens of the
city.
So, when a pope dies, no one has
the keys — no one exercises
papal authority and governance — until
a new pope is elected. (The camerlengo takes
physical custody of Holy See when
a pope dies.) The keys represent
an office, and when the office is
filled, the new pope ipso facto takes
possession of them.
Eric
Mike
replied:
Hey Eric,
Don't they do something with the
Pope's ring? I forgot the reasoning
and purpose.
If you are interested Austin, check
out my FREE Catechism of the Catholic
Church Program for Protestants. Here
is a link to the registration page.
Just click on the Catechism and supply
the information: http://www.askacatholic.com/CCCFPP
Mike
Eric
replied:
Hi, Mike —
They destroy it when the pope dies,
and forge a unique one for the new
pope. The ring, itself,
is merely a symbol of his office.
It may serve as a seal as well (though
I have no clue if they still use
wax seals).
Eric
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