A Protestant View of the Papacy

Patrick: I admired John Paul II in many ways. His support for Polish workers who stood up to their Communist overlords very likely played an important part in the beginning of the breakup of the USSR's monopoly of power over Poland and other countries. However... Karol Jozef Woytya (JPII's birth name) occupied a position of authority that is controversial, to say the least. As a Catholic I was taught that Jesus founded his Church on Peter and all of Peter's successors. As a Protestant, I believe that Peter's role as a leader among the Twelve was not something transferred to every Bishop of Rome. Here's some of the reasons why I no longer believe in the Papacy, even though I acknowledge that some popes have been good guys in certain ways.

Did Jesus Christ appoint an earthly Head to His Church?

What is the claim of Rome in regard to the Head of the Church on earth?

What is the official teaching of Rome on the Pope?

What in Matthew's Gospel does the Roman Church use to support claims for Peter being the first Pope?

Were the Fathers unanimous in their interpretation of the Scripture?