Although it is less pronounced today, it is true that the Roman Pontiff is an independent Christian monarch in the same manner as royals from King Juan Carlos of Spain to Albert II of Belgium. His Holiness Pope Innocent III was the first to put forward the basic principle of the Papacy, and the Universal Church as a whole, being a spiritual monarchy with the Pope acting as king, the Cardinals as his princes and the Bishops and Priests as the administering aristocrats. Another view, including the Church as a whole, places Jesus Christ as the supreme monarch with the Pope as His Prime Minister. This is a more accurate analogy since Christ is the Head of the Church, the Pope is only His representative.
However, in physical terms the Papacy is a temporal monarchy as well. Vatican City is a recognized free and indepndent nation, of which the Pope is titled as "Sovereign". Within this micro-nation His Holiness is an absolute monarch. He has a throne, the Throne of St Peter, and a crown in the Papal Tiara. The EWTN website says this about the crown of the Pope:
"The Papal Tiara is a crown symbolizing the threefold authority of the Supreme Pontiff: Universal Pastor (top), Universal Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction (middle) and the Temporal Power (bottom). Of this last, only the Vatican City State remains from the papal territories, which in past ages secured the autonomy of the Vicar of Christ from the princes of this world.
The triple tiara can also be understood to have a spiritual interpretation, the three-fold office of Christ, Who is Priest, Prophet and King. The Lord communicated these offices to the Apostles, and in a particular way to Peter, that they could sanctify, teach and govern in His name and by His authority (Mt 16:13-18, Mt 18:18, Mt 28:18-20, Lk 22:31-32, John 21:15-17)
Pope Paul VI was the last pontiff to wear the papal tiara. At the end of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI descended the steps of the papal throne in St Peter's Basilica and laid the tiara on the altar in a dramatic gesture of humility and as a sign of the renunciation of human glory and power in keeping with the renewed spirit of the Second Vatican Council. This last tiara was then given to benefit the poor, but remains as a symbol in the papal crest."
For hundreds of years each new Pope took office in a coronation ceremony. This act was declined by Pope John Paul I as well as his successor John Paul II. It is worth noting that in almost every modern monarchy today coronation ceremonies are no longer held. However, just like in other kingdoms of the world, the Catholic Church retains the Papal Crown as a symbol of the Pope's authority and his many duties. |
