You learn something new all the time. I had no idea that there were some sins only a pope could forgive.
I tip of the biretta to Kendall Harmon for this (who ever though that would happen!)
Vatican reveals sins only Pope can forgive
Vatican officials this week revealed the inner workings of the Apostolic Penitentiary, a "tribunal of conscience" that has been shrouded in mystery for more than eight centuries.
As the Vatican's highest court, the tribunal deals with confessions considered so grave only the Pope himself has the authority to absolve them.
Defiling the Eucharist, which Catholics believe is the body and blood of Christ, is among several sins that can be forgiven only at the highest level, officials said. Yet confessions of crimes the general public may consider even more serious, including genocide and serial murder, can be dealt with by local priests or bishops.
Established in 1179 by Pope Alexander III, the tribunal has never divulged details of the cases it examines.
Since this is a copyrighted article I will stop quoting here.
You can read the rest of it here. It is well worth the read.
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