The Papacy and Infallibility (Index Page)

Last updated on: April 25, 2025 at 5:01 pm   by
The Papacy and Infallibility (Index Page) 2025-04-25T17:01:52-04:00
[published in March 2012, 150 pages]
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[Papal Encyclicals Online: fabulous resource: includes Kindle / Nook / ePub capability]
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Pope Francis Defended: Resources for Confused Folks [342 articles or videos from others]

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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I. PETRINE AND ROMAN PRIMACY / ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL
II. GENERAL PAPAL ECCLESIOLOGY
III. PAPAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUCCESSION
IV. PETER THE “ROCK” / “KEYS OF THE KINGDOM”
V. PAPAL INFALLIBILITY, SUPREMACY, AND ROMAN PRIMACY 
VI. PAPAL INDEFECTIBILITY
VII. POPES, COUNCILS, CONCILIARISM, AND COLLEGIALITY
VIII. DISAGREEING WITH OR TRYING TO PERSUADE POPES / HONOR AND RESPECT FOR POPES / POPE-BASHING
IX. PAPAL SCANDALS / “BAD POPES”
X. DID POPES CLAIM TO BE GOD? / POPES AS ANTICHRIST?
XI. VEN. POPE PIUS XII AND THE NAZI HOLOCAUST
XII. POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II
XIII. POPE BENEDICT XVI
XIV. POPE FRANCIS
XV. POPE FRANCIS: PHIL LAWLER’S HIT-PIECE, LOST SHEPHERD 
XVI. POPE FRANCIS: ROSS DOUTHAT’S HIT-PIECE, TO CHANGE THE CHURCH
XVII. POPE FRANCIS: HENRY SIRE’S HIT-PIECE, THE DICTATOR POPE
XVIII. POPE FRANCIS: KARL KEATING’S TOME, THE FRANCIS FEUD
XIX. POPE FRANCIS: ARCHBISHOP VIGANO’S RANTINGS
 
I. PETRINE AND ROMAN PRIMACY / ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL
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50 Biblical Indications of Petrine Primacy and the Papacy [National Catholic Register, 11-20-16]
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Top 20 Biblical Evidences for the Primacy of St. Peter [National Catholic Register, 1-8-18; see also my video commentary on this article with Kenny Burchard on the Catholic Bible Highlights channel, 11-8-24]
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Papal Passages Lk 22:31-34 & Jn 21:15-17 (vs. Jason Engwer) [5-12-20]
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Is Peter’s Primacy Disproved by His Personality? [National Catholic Register, 11-30-20]
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Reply to Lucas Banzoli’s 205 Potshots at St. Peter, Part I [5-26-22]
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Lucas Banzoli’s 205 “Petrine Potshots”, Part II [5-27-22]
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The Authority of Popes (chapter three, pp. 139-158, of my 2009 book, Bible Truths for Catholic Truths: A Source Book for Apologists and Inquirers) [10-16-23]
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VIDEO: Was Peter REALLY the first Pope? [Dave Armstrong & Kenny Burchard on the Catholic Bible Highlights channel, 11-8-24]
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The Origins of the Denial of Peter’s Roman Sojourn (Nicholas Gulda, The Crossroads, 9-4-22)
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II. GENERAL PAPAL ECCLESIOLOGY
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III. PAPAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUCCESSION
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The Development of the Papacy (St. John Henry Cardinal Newman) [Facebook, 1997]
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Papal Succession: Biblical and Logical Arguments [National Catholic Register, 5-26-17]
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IV. PETER THE “ROCK” / “KEYS OF THE KINGDOM”
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Jesus Christ and St. Peter — Are Both Rocks? [National Catholic Register, 6-29-22]
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The Meaning of the Keys of St. Peter [National Catholic Register, 8-25-22]
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V. PAPAL INFALLIBILITY, SUPREMACY, AND ROMAN PRIMACY 
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A Brief History of Papal Infallibility [National Catholic Register, 5-21-18]
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Protestant Objections to Papal Infallibility [National Catholic Register, 2-29-20]
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Explicit Papal Infallibility in 96 AD (Pope St. Clement) [originally from 7-30-21; posted at Catholic365 on 11-20-23]
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The Supposed Fall of Honorius and His Condemnation (J. H. R., American Catholic Quarterly Review, vol. 7, 1882, pp. 162-168)
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The Condemnation of Pope Honorius (Dom John Chapman, O.S.B., London: Catholic Truth Society, 1907)
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Pope Honorius I (Catholic Encyclopedia [Dom John Chapman])
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The Truth about Pope Honorius (Robert Spencer, Catholic Answers, 9-1-94)
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Was Pope Honorius I a heretic? (Ron Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 9-17-16)
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The Alleged Fall of Pope Liberius (P. J. Harrold, American Catholic Quarterly Review, vol. 8, 1883, 529-549)
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Pope Liberius (Catholic Encyclopedia [Dom John Chapman])
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The Sixth Nicene Canon and the Papacy (James F. Loughlin, American Catholic Quarterly Review, vol. 5, 1880, 220-239)
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Was Pope Vigilius a Heretic? (Mark Hausam, Where Peter Is, 4-12-20)
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Papal Infallibility and the Case of Pope Vigilius (Lawrence McCready, Unam Sanctam Catholicam, 7-7-12)
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The Transformation of Pope Vigilius (Warren H. Carroll, Faith & Reason, Winter 1982)
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An In-Depth Examination of Pope Vigilius: Historical and Theological Insights [Video (2 1/2 hours) by William Albrecht and two guests, 9-6-24]
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St. Thomas Aquinas and the Origins of the Doctrine of Papal Infallibility (Emmett O’Regan, Nova et Vetera, Winter 2025, Vol. 23, No. 1)
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VI. PAPAL INDEFECTIBILITY
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VII. POPES, COUNCILS, CONCILIARISM, AND COLLEGIALITY
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Pope Silvester and the Council of Nicaea (vs. James White) [August 1997]
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Peter Kwasniewski: Gotta Exorcise Vatican I (1870) [12-4-20]

Which Has More Authority: A Pope or an Ecumenical Council? [National Catholic Register, 5-19-21]

Did Peter or James Preside at the Jerusalem Council? (And Was it the Prototype of Ecumenical Councils or Merely a Local Synod?) [5-21-21]

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VIII. DISAGREEING WITH OR TRYING TO PERSUADE POPES / HONOR AND RESPECT FOR POPES / POPE-BASHING

Denunciations of Incessant Bashing of Pope Francis [2-22-15]

Is Pope Francis Wrong? Thoughts on the “Filial Correction” [9-24-17]

Radical Reactionary Affinities in “Filial Correction” Signatories [9-28-17]

On Rebuking Popes & Catholic Obedience to Popes [12-27-17]

On Rebuking Popes & Obedience to Popes, Part II [12-28-17]

Fr. Angel Sotelo on the Scandal of the Current Pope-Bashing [Facebook, 1-4-18]

Negative Reactionary Views of Popes Since 1958 [3-18-18]

Honoring Popes / Scriptural Honor of Even Wicked Rulers [11-30-17; some additions on 3-26-18]

Pope-Criticism: Vigorous Exchanges w Karl Keating [3-27-18]

Do I Think Popes Can Never be Criticized for Any Reason? Nope. (I Respectfully Criticize the Prudence of Pope Francis’ Repeated Interviews with an Atheist Who Lies About Him [Eugenio Scalfari]) [3-31-18]

Olson’s Nitpicking, Persnickety Guide to Gaudete et Exsultate [4-10-18]

Honoring Popes (Even Alleged “Bad” Ones) as Persons [4-11-18]

Are Pope-Critics Evil? Reply to Karl Keating [4-13-18]

Why Have Popes At All if We Reject Papal Guidance? [8-4-18]

Protestant Champion Jerry Walls Notes the Obvious: Many Catholics Think Like Protestants, With Regard to the Authority of the Pope and the Rule of Faith [Facebook, 8-7-18]

Pope Francis Accusers Reject Magisterial Teaching on Popes (The pope’s teaching is indefectible and cannot be judged or “overruled” by any man: or even an ecumenical council) [7-23-20]

St. Paul’s Rebuke of St. Peter = Francis-Bashing? [8-19-20]

If We Have to Constantly Defend Holy Scripture, How Much More the Pope? [Facebook, 10-23-20]

Kwasniewski vs. Cdl. Newman Re Pope- & Council-Bashing [12-3-20]

Pope Francis: Popes Can be Respectfully Criticized [7-21-21]

Did Pope Francis Rebuke Pelosi Re Abortion? (And Why One Seeming Methodological Approach Towards the “Right” and a Very Different One Towards the “Left”?) [10-11-21]

Erasmus’ Criticism of Popes = Today’s Pope-Bashing? [11-10-21]

On the Last Three Popes’ Appointments of Cardinals: Traditionalists Have a Valid Point About Bad Appointments and the Disastrous Appeasement of Theological Liberals in the Church [7-18-22]

“Lying about the Holy Father is a mortal sin” [Facebook discussion thread, 8-22-22]

Pope St. Pius X on Obedience to the Pope + Great Group Discussion [Facebook, 5-19-23]

Ed Feser’s “Respectful and Reserved Criticism” of the Holy Father (?) [Catholic365, 11-29-23]

Bible on the Disgraceful Attitude & Behavior of So Many Pope-Bashers [Facebook, 12-24-23]

Bible on Deference to Popes & Leaders, & Disobedience [12-26-23]

Get it Right! Yours Truly on Papal Criticism (from the Year 2000) and on My Distinctions Among Papal Critics (2018) [Facebook, 1-13-24]

Pope-Criticism: Ultra-Rare, Private, & Saintly (Reply to Clueless Accusations That I Supposedly Think Popes Should Never be Criticized At All, & Make No Distinctions Whatsoever Concerning Papal Critics) [1-15-24]

St. Ignatius of Antioch [50-110 or 117] on Submission to the Bishop [Facebook, 1-25-24]

We Can’t Disagree with Mere Political Opinions of Popes? St. Cdl. Newman Disagrees [Facebook, 2-13-25]

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IX. PAPAL SCANDALS / “BAD POPES”

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Papal Critics Concede: No Proof of Canonical Papal Heresy [5-10-19]

Reactionary Infiltration of Taylor Marshall’s Book, Infiltration [5-30-19]

Pope Francis Accusers Reject Magisterial Teaching on Popes (The pope’s teaching is indefectible and cannot be judged or “overruled” by any man: or even an ecumenical council) [7-23-20]

Pastor Aeternus (1870): Can a Pope Ever Make Heresy Binding? (Dr. Robert Fastiggi and Ron Conte; edited by Dave Armstrong, in Response to Timothy Flanders) [12-1-20]

Kwasniewski vs. Cdl. Newman Re Pope- & Council-Bashing [12-3-20]

Pope Francis: Most Theological Errors? (Ed Feser) [8-26-22]

Post-Vatican II “Liberal” Popes [Ch. 13 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; revised in November 2023 for the purpose of the free online version) ] [11-25-23]

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X. DID POPES CLAIM TO BE GOD? / POPES AS ANTICHRIST?
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XI. VEN. POPE PIUS XII AND THE NAZI HOLOCAUST
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[see the many links on my Jews, Judaism, & Old Testament page]
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XII. POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II
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John Paul II Kissing the Koran: Dialogue with Traditionalists [2012; new Introduction added on 6-4-19] [6-4-19]
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Was Pope St. John Paul II a “Modernist”? [Ch. 15 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; revised in November 2023 for the purpose of the free online version)] [11-27-23]
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XIII. POPE BENEDICT XVI
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Benedict and Clergy Sexual Abuse: Decisive and Aggressive Action (Judy Roberts; National Catholic Register,  3-5-13)
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XIV. POPE FRANCIS
 
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Pope Francis, Foot-Washing, & Humility (Pete Vere & Dave Armstrong) [3-13-13 and 3-30-13]
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Exchange on Pope Francis and the Church (vs. Tony Jokin) [Facebook, 12-17-14]
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Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato si: A Beautiful and Profoundly Wise Statement of Christian Environmentalism and Theology of Creation [9-11-15]

Forcing Pope Francis Into Our Own Image [9-18-15]

Reply to Dr. Phil Blosser’s Critique of My Book, Pope Francis Explained [9-24-15]

Must the Pope Explicitly Mention Abortion to Congress? [9-24-15]

Pope Francis’ Strongly Pro-Life Comments to the UN (“Both/And”!) [9-25-15]

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Dialogue: “Bad” Bishops & “Confusing” Francis (vs. Dr. Peter Kwasniewski) [4-28-16]
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I Hope the Pope Will Provide Some Much-Needed Clarity (Re: Answering the Dubia) [National Catholic Register, 9-30-17]
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Burning Heretics, Frying Murderers, & Slavery (Analogies) [8-3-18]

Yes, Virginia, the Pope Believes Mary is Immaculate [12-29-18]

Papal Ring-Kissing, Gossip, & Pharisaical Nitpicking [3-29-19]

Reactionary Signees of Easter “Heresy” Letter (13 of 19) [5-6-19]

Ecclesiological Errors of “Easter Letter” Reactionaries Summed Up (That is, Ones Not Specifically Related to Pope Francis: Especially Vatican II as the Big Bad Wolf) [5-9-19]

Papal Critics Concede: No Proof of Canonical Papal Heresy [5-10-19]

Dr. Echeverria: Francis Wants Development, Not Revolution [5-28-19]

Taylor Marshall’s Whopper: Pope Francis Denies Hellfire? [6-7-19]

Taylor Marshall Lies About Pope Francis & Divorce [6-8-19]

No, Pope Francis Did Not Deny Transubstantiation (Phenomenological Language in Holy Scripture and in the Addresses of Pope Francis) [6-25-19]

Brief Exchange with a Sedevacantist Regarding Pope Francis [Facebook, 6-25-19]

Does Pope Francis Deny the Catholic Doctrine of Merit? No [7-1-19]

Pope Francis & Transubstantiation (vs. Sedevacantists) [7-2-19]

Am I a “Pope Francis Defender”? (Statement of Intent & Purpose) [11-5-19]

Being Anti-Francis is Apparently Far and Away the Most Important Thing for Millions of Catholics These Days. God Help Us! [11-12-19]

Is Pope Francis Against Apologetics & Defending the Faith? [11-26-19]

“Confusing” Pope Francis & Ignorant, Lazy Lay Catholics [11-27-19]

Pope Benedict’s Enthusiastic Approval of Pope Francis [11-27-19]

Hysterical Reactionaries Opposed Pope Francis from Day One (The “inside story” — from Hilary White — of what happened among a cadre of well-known fanatical reactionaries on the very night Pope Francis was elected) [12-3-19]

“Ambiguity”: Classic Reactionary Talking Point & Mantra [12-5-19]

Pope St. John Paul II Respectfully Referred to Pachamama (+ Orthodox Catholic References to “Mother Earth” and Similar Biblical Motifs) [12-13-19]

Pope Francis vs. the Marian Title “Co-Redemptrix”? (+ Documentation of Pope Francis’ and Other Popes’ Use of the Mariological Title of Veneration: “Mother of All”) [12-16-19]

Debate: Pope Francis on Doctrine, Truth, & Evangelizing (vs. Dr. Eduardo Echeverria) [12-16-19]

Pope Francis’ Deep Devotion to Mary (Esp. Mary Mediatrix) [12-23-19]

Pope Francis’ Emphasis on Criticizing Reactionaries (A Theory) [12-30-19]

Pope Francis’ Slap & Loss of Temper (Close Examination) [1-2-20]

Dialogue: Pope Francis vs. Gospel Preaching & Converts? No! (vs. Eric Giunta) [1-3-20]

Reactionaries and Other Pope-Bashers Have a Ready “Answer” to Every Proof of Pope Francis’ Orthodoxy: He’s Simply Lying Through His Teeth! [Facebook, 1-3-20]

Pope Francis (and Others) and Analogies to Jesus (Explanation of a Widely Misunderstood Aspect of Analogical Arguments) [1-6-20]

Pope Francis: Strong Defender of Priestly Celibacy [1-14-20]

Striking Similarities of Pope Francis Derangement Syndrome and Donald Trump Derangement Syndrome / Near-Impossibility of Rational Discussion [Facebook, 1-16-20]

Pope’s Querida Amazonia: Reactionaries Step in it Again [2-13-20]

Dialogue w Timothy Flanders #2: State of Emergency? [2-25-20]

Dr. Fastiggi Defends Pope Francis Re “Pachamama Idolatry” [3-3-20]

Pope Francis vs. the Gospel? Outrageous & Absurd Lies! (Anti-Catholic Protestant James White and Catholic Reactionary Steve Skojec Echo Each Other’s Gigantic Whoppers) [5-26-20]

Legalism Re Pope Francis & Papal Attire (Mozzetta) [7-10-20]

Fratelli tutti: Love is Great; How to Best Apply It? [10-8-20]

Steve Skojec: Pope Sez Death Penalty is Intrinsically Evil (?) [10-8-20]

Death Penalty, Reactionaries, & a Devious Liar-Pope? [10-10-20]

Three Popes & Capital Punishment (vs. Ed Feser) (with Catholic Theologian Dr. Robert Fastiggi) [10-20-20]

Pope Francis, Same-Sex Unions, & Chicken Little Mass Hysteria [10-22-20]

Pope Francis & the Diversity of Religions (The Sedevacantist Outfit Novus Ordo Watch Lies Yet Again About Pope Francis) [11-29-20] 

Kwasniewski vs. Cdl. Newman Re Pope- & Council-Bashing [12-3-20]

Kwasniewski vs. Pope Francis Re “Fundamentalism” (Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI Fully Concur with Pope Francis) [12-9-20]

Pope Francis’ Proper Use of the Term “Fundamentalism” (. . . and the Similar Sociologically Proper Use of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope St. John Paul II) [12-28-20]

Dr. Fastiggi on Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis, & Aquinas [2-1-21]

Fr. Z Asks for Pro-Francis “Compendium”. I Provide It [3-9-21]

“Gay Unions”: Leftist & Reactionary Catholics vs. Pope & CDF [3-23-21]

Pope Francis vs. Same-Sex “Marriage”: The Record [3-25-21]

Fr. Peter Stravinskas & Irrational Pope Francis-Bashing: Sad Case Study in Taking the Holy Father’s Words Out of Context and Indefensibly Misrepresenting Them [4-15-21]
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Pope Francis: Indissoluble Marriage & No Divorce (+ Analysis of Ed Feser’s “Doctrinally Problematic” Criticisms) [6-1-21]
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XV. POPE FRANCIS: PHIL LAWLER’S HIT-PIECE, LOST SHEPHERD 
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Quasi-Defectibility and Phil Lawler vs. Pope Francis (see also more documentation of Lawler’s reactionary leanings, on the Facebook thread) [12-28-17]
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Protestant Takes Solace in Douthat’s Pope-Bashing Book (also discusses Phil Lawler) [3-24-18]
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Chris Ferrara & My Debates w Keating & Lawler Re Pope Francis [1-1-18 and 1-2-18; minor additions and changes: 9-25-20]
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XVI. POPE FRANCIS: ROSS DOUTHAT’S HIT-PIECE, TO CHANGE THE CHURCH
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XVII. POPE FRANCIS: HENRY SIRE’S HIT-PIECE, THE DICTATOR POPE
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XVIII. POPE FRANCIS: KARL KEATING’S TOME, THE FRANCIS FEUD
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XIX. POPE FRANCIS: ARCHBISHOP VIGANO’S RANTINGS
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Last updated on 22 April 2025

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