Why is the pope hated so much?

Answer 1

The pope is often hated because he is a figure-head for a major religion. Some of the other religions may see the Pope as a symbol of another opposing religion. Other people may blame the Pope for everything done in Catholicism's name or related to the Catholic Church, including events such as the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Holocaust, Catholic-Protestant conflicts in Ireland and elsewhere, or abuse of children by corrupt church officials.

Some of the views of the Pope are not agreed with by all people. For example, a particularly controversial issue may be the use of contraceptives during intercourse. Another heated issue is that of homosexuality.

Some people may hate the Pope because he represents authority.

Who says that the pope is hated? Most Catholics have deep respect and love for the Holy Father. They may not always agree with him but they do not hate him. There are, of course, many non-Catholics who do not subscribe to papal leadership and have no use for the pope and central spiritual leadership.

Roman Catholic AnswerBecause he is the Vicar of Christ on earth, and the head of the Church. Because Jesus told us that we would be hated by all men. Because he and Christ's Church stand against the world; they stand for the next world, and God's kingdom. Because, as Jesus says in the Gospel, Satan is the ruler of this world, and so it is inevitable that his followers would hate the representative of Jesus on earth.