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What conditions must be met for a pope to make an infallible ex cathedra statement?
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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.
For a papal ex cathedra statement to be considered infallible within Roman Catholic theology, specific conditions must be met:
- Role of the Pope: The pope must be acting in his capacity as the supreme teacher and pastor of all Christians.
- Intent to Define: He must intend to definitively and irrevocably proclaim a doctrine concerning faith or morals.
- Binding the Entire Church: The statement must be made with the intention of demanding the irrevocable assent of the entire Church.12
The doctrine of papal infallibility was formally defined as dogma during the First Vatican Council in 1870. The term ex cathedra literally means "from the chair," referring to the pope speaking from his position of authority.1234