The Orthodox Pope and the Catholic Pope: A Comparative Analytical Study in the Philosophy and History of Public International Law

Abstract

This study examines the positions of the Orthodox Pope and the Catholic Pope from a comparative analytical historical perspective, aiming to identify the nature of each position, its historical foundation, and the framework governing its authorities and powers. The study begins by presenting the position of the Orthodox Pope in terms of its definition and ecclesiastical nature, its foundation related to the Markan preaching, as well as the location of the papal see, the mechanism of selecting the Pope, and his responsibilities within the Coptic Orthodox Church. It then moves to examine the position of the Catholic Pope as the Bishop of Rome and the head of the Catholic Church, highlighting the doctrinal foundation based on the succession of Saint Peter, in addition to clarifying the dual nature of the position, which combines religious authority and political sovereignty as the head of the Vatican City State, along with explaining the system of selection and the scope of his responsibilities. In the third chapter, the study addresses the similarities and differences between the two positions, showing that they both represent the highest spiritual leadership within their respective churches, while differing in the nature and scope of authority, as well as in their relationship with political power and the degree of centralization in ecclesiastical organization. The study concludes that the differences between the two positions reflect a fundamental variation in the doctrinal and organizational structures of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches, which influences the nature of the role each plays within the religious and international communities.