Reading 1: 1 Pt 5:1-4

Responsorial Psalm 23:1-3a, 4, 5, 6

Gospel Mt 16:13-19

The biblical origins of the seat of Peter:

It can be traced back to the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus calls Peter the “rock” upon which he will build his church. In Matthew 16:18-19, Jesus says to Peter, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock[b] I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Jesus established Peter as the first pope and gave him authority over the Church. The “keys of the kingdom of heaven” symbolize St. Peter’s authority to govern and lead the Church, and the ability to bind and loose sins reflects the power of the papacy to make decisions and establish doctrine.

What is Papal Infallibility?
Papal infallibility is a doctrine of the Church which states that the Pope when speaking ex-cathedra (from the chair of Peter), is preserved from error in matters of faith and morals. This means that in certain circumstances, the Pope is believed to be infallible and incapable of making doctrinal errors by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Do I believe what the Church teaches?
Are there some teachings that I struggle to accept? If so, why is that?

Do I pray for the Pope and for his prayer intentions?