Finally, an honest pope!

It's about time that a Roman pontiff comes clean with what papal authority teaches its followers as infallible truth. After admitting that any churches not recognizing him as head of the Church are not really churches, but only ecclesial bodies (we already knew that from the documents of Vatican II), he even admits that the Greeks and other Orthodox are "indeed 'churches' because they have apostolic succession," but that "they lack something because they do not recognize the primacy of the pope," which is "a defect, or a 'wound' that [harms] them."

Holy Father, what is this "something" that we lack? Is it what Jesus told the rich young man who wanted to follow Him? "Jesus said unto him, 'If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.'" Matthew 19:21 ASV

What do you think now, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and New Rome? What do you think of your friend's behavior? You kiss him and exchange visits and presents, while you persecute the men of Esphigmenou without restraint. Could it be you know they are right? Could it be that the pope of Rome is only up to his old tricks, or the tricks of his master?

I refer the brethren, those who call on the heavenly Father in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to call to mind once again what our forefathers in faith replied to the monster manifested in their days, and what they notoriously held on to, that faith "once and for all delivered to the saints." Here is a link to the letter of the Orthodox patriarchs replying to a letter of Pius IX, styling himself "bishop of Rome," in which he also tried to assert his (false) authority over the Christians of the ancient faith:

Encyclical of the Eastern Patriarchs, 1848 — A Reply to the Epistle of Pope Pius IX, "to the Easterns".

What is written in this letter (and it is a long one, but worth the read if you have patience) was true when it was written, and just as true today. No pope or papal authority can withstand it, because it rests on the Truth of God's Word, and is alive through the continued presence of His Spirit in the true Church, the Bride of Christ, the little flock "who follow the Lamb wherever He goes."