How Can There Be A Pope? "None Would Be Lord Over Another"

Luke 22:24-30 - And there was also a strife amongst them, which of them should seem to be the greater. [25] And he said to them: The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and they that have power over them, are called beneficent.

[26] But you not so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is the leader, as he that serveth. [27] For which is greater, he that sitteth at table, or he that serveth? Is it not he that sitteth at table? But I am in the midst of you, as he that serveth: [28] And you are they who have continued with me in my temptations: [29] And I dispose to you, as my Father hath disposed to me, a kingdom; [30] That you may eat and drink at my table, in my kingdom: and may sit upon thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Protestant Christian Understanding: None would be Lord over another, thus how can there be a Pope?

Catholic Christian Understanding:  In this passage Luke 22, Jesus is washing the feet of the Apostles on Maundy Thursday. Christ was trying to teach the Apostles by setting an example and washing their feet as a servant would, even though He his God and Lord over all.  Christ's intention was to show example on how He wants them to treat the world as humble servants.

But if one looks at the passage, Jesus himself says, "I am your Lord, you rightfully call me Lord." That is, the Apostles did not stop calling Jesus Lord after he put a towel around his waste and washed their feet, as if Christ was no longer to lord over them.  What Christ was teaching them was, "If you are going to exercise Lordship, do it in a HUMBLE way and use your authority to benefit others.  Do not be proud as the Pharisees and lord over people in a prideful manner.  Have servant leadership.  

Luke 22 is speaking to the question of ATTITUDE, and giving it any meaning beyond that would be reading into the passage and applying  meaning that is simply not there.  It is not challenging if there is authority in the Church.  This passage speaks to STYLE of authority and how to exercise authority with a humble attitude.

In Hebrews 13:17 "Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you."  This passage also proves that God calls the people He gave authority to exercise it in a HUMBLE way.

Another great example is Ephesians 5 where Christ tells the husband to love his wife like Christ loves His Church. But both Protestants and Catholics agree that the husband is not to lord his authority over his wife and treat her like a tyrant, but love her like Christ loved His church and be willing to die for her as Christ died for His Church.  Protestants agree there is a need for authority in the home, in the state, and so on …..  so why not the Church which is the most important institution in our lives as Christians?  How does anything run without a final authority?  It simply does not.  Everything has a final authority.  God made The Catholic Church the steward of final authority, as His Church, while we are on earth.  As He said to his apostles when He instituted what we know as the Catholic Church upon them, "whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven."