The Papacy

Today the Roman cardinals elected a new pope. Below is a sampling of how Lutherans view the office of the Papacy:

The pope is not, according to divine law or God’s Word, the head of all Christendom. This name belongs to One only, whose name is Jesus Christ [Colossians 1:18]. The pope is only the bishop and pastor of the Church at Rome and of those who have attached themselves to him voluntarily or through a human agency (such as a political ruler). Christians are not under him as a lord. They are with him as brethren and companions, as the ancient councils and the age of St. Cyprian show. [Smalcald Articles IV 1]

See the Smalcald Articles (Article IV) and the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope for an in-depth Scriptural critique of the Papacy.