Papal imprudence started very early. On the heels of Jesus’ declaration that St. Peter was the Rock on which He was to build His Church, the apostle tried to tone down Christ’s teaching, rebuking the Lord saying, “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you” (Matthew16:22). Scripture attests that even after Pentecost the Vicar of Christ could equivocate. St. Paul criticized St.
