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How is papal infallibility different from the infallibility of the Roman Catholic Church?

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The First Vatican Council — papal infallibility In 1869 Pope Pius XI (center) convened an assembly of bishops that became known as the First Vatican Council (or Vatican I). The council declared the dogmas of papal primacy and papal infallibility before the assembly was suspended indefinitely in 1870.

In Roman Catholic theology, papal infallibility refers to the specific doctrine that the pope, when acting as the supreme teacher and under certain defined conditions, is preserved from error in matters of faith or morals. This doctrine was officially defined as dogma during the First Vatican Council in 1870.123

The infallibility of the pope is an element of the broader understanding of the infallibility of the Church. The Church's infallibility is based on the belief that it has been entrusted with the teaching mission of Jesus Christ and, through the assistance of the Holy Spirit, will remain faithful to that teaching. While related, papal infallibility is distinct from the Church's general indefectibility, which assures its perseverance until the end of time. The conditions for papal infallibility require the pope to intend to demand irrevocable assent from the entire Church in a matter of faith or morals when speaking ex cathedra (from his chair).13