Potestas ligandi et solvendi notas histórico-jurídicas en torno a los orígenes de la primacía del obispo de roma

Abstract

Based on Walter Ullman's article, the issue referred to in the title is reformulated by placing it in the historical area, not in the dogmatic one. It is held that the papal primacy is better understood when it is observed as a tradition of the Church, based on both the figure of Peter, to whom Christ entrusts with the "keys" to salvation, and that of Paul, indefatigable missionary, who dies, as Peter did, in Rome. With both bodies, this city acquires a pre-eminent apostolic dimension, which is the first basis for papal primacy, to which the idea of apos­tolic succession is added, according to which Rome's archbishop is Peter's heir. This tradition begins at the end of the first century, but it was Pope Leon I who, in the V century, elaborated the basis for the potestas apostolica based on the Roman juridical principle of succession because of death. As an heir, the Pope takes the place of Peter as far as function, office and position are concerned. The authority to do and undo received by the apostle and inherited by the Pope essentially consists of a jurisdictional power, which has an immediate effect in Heaven. Finally, the tremendous historical meaning of the City of Rome completes this discussion.