Papal infallibility is a term used to describe the belief that the Pope is incapable of making errors in matters of faith and morals. The correct spelling of this phrase is ['peɪpəl ɪnˌfælɪˈbɪlɪti], with the stress on the third syllable. The first word, 'papal', refers to the Pope, while the second word, 'infallibility', means the inability to make mistakes. The IPA transcription helps to clarify the pronunciation of each individual sound in the word, making it easier to spell and understand.
Papal infallibility refers to the dogma held by the Roman Catholic Church that asserts the Pope's immunity from error and guarantees his utterance of official decrees on matters of faith or morals to be free from error. According to this belief, the Pope, as the successor of Saint Peter and the bishop of Rome, is divinely protected by the Holy Spirit from making any erroneous or misleading statements when speaking ex cathedra, that is, from his sacred seat.
This doctrine of papal infallibility was formally defined and proclaimed as a dogma during the First Vatican Council in 1870. It delineates that under specific conditions, when the Pope, as the supreme authority in matters of faith and morals, speaks ex cathedra on these subjects, his teachings are regarded as infallible and binding for all Catholics.
It is important to emphasize that papal infallibility relates exclusively to matters of faith and morals, safeguarding the Church's teachings from any error or falsehood. It does not imply that the Pope is infallible in all aspects of his life or infallible on non-doctrinal or scientific matters.
The belief in papal infallibility remains a central tenet of Roman Catholic theology, affirming the divine guidance and protection granted to the Pope when promulgating dogmas or making doctrinal pronouncements. It serves as a foundation for the spiritual authority and leadership of the Pope within the Catholic Church.
The word "papal" comes from the Latin "papa", meaning "pope", which in turn originates from the Greek word "pappas" meaning "father". "Infallibility" comes from the Latin "infallibilitas", composed of "in-" (not) and "fallibilis" (liable to err). So when combined, "papal infallibility" refers to the concept that the Pope is incapable of making errors in certain matters of faith and morals.