Faithful Cycles: Why Do Baptists Care About the Pope?

Real Life. Real Struggles. Real Truth.

Truth Cycle:

You’ve probably seen it on the news, on social media, or even in your church conversations: talk about the Pope. Praise, critique, speculation—everyone seems to have something to say. But if you’re Southern Baptist, or not Catholic at all, why does it matter? Should it matter? Why do we even care who holds a role we don’t follow?

Biblical Truth:

Biblical & Doctrinal Truth (Southern Baptist View):
Southern Baptists do not recognize the authority of the Pope because our foundation is based on the priesthood of all believers and the headship of Christ alone over the Church, not any one man.

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” _{1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV)}

“And He is the head of the body, the church… that in all things He may have the preeminence.” _{Colossians 1:18 (NKJV)}

We don’t follow a central earthly leader like the Pope, because:

We believe Scripture alone is the ultimate authority, not tradition or papal declarations.

Each local church is autonomous, there is no human hierarchy above it in Baptist structure.

All believers are seen as equally responsible and capable of seeking God directly.

So why do some Baptists (and non-Catholics) still talk about the Pope?
Because the Pope is a global religious figure, his influence affects public conversations on morality, politics, missions, and global Christianity. His words can shape public perceptions of what “Christianity” is, even when they don’t reflect the beliefs of Bible, teaching churches.

Quick Word:

Respect doesn’t require agreement. We can acknowledge the Pope’s influence in the world, but our faith, our doctrine, and our direction come from Jesus Christ alone.