The pope is the Bishop of Rome and the head of the Roman Catholic Church’s worldwide episcopal communion. In Catholic teaching, the papal office is connected with the role of the apostle Peter and with the continuing ministry of the bishops who succeed the apostles.
Bishop of Rome
The pope is first of all a bishop. He belongs to the episcopal order and serves as bishop of the Church of Rome. Catholic canon law also describes the Roman Pontiff as head of the College of Bishops and pastor of the universal Church.
Papal primacy
Catholic doctrine holds that the pope possesses a unique primacy in the universal Church. This teaching developed through scripture, early church practice, theological debate, and later councils. Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, and Protestant traditions do not accept the modern Catholic understanding of papal jurisdiction in the same way, even when they recognize Rome’s historical importance.
How a pope is chosen
When the papacy becomes vacant, the College of Cardinals elects a new pope according to Catholic law. The election takes place in a conclave. A person elected pope must accept the election; if he is not already a bishop, he must be ordained to the episcopate.
What the pope does
The pope teaches, appoints bishops in many parts of the Church, issues legal and pastoral documents, oversees institutions of the Holy See, convenes or confirms major church processes, and represents the Catholic Church internationally. He works with bishops, cardinals, the Roman Curia, and other church bodies.
Papal infallibility
Catholic teaching on papal infallibility is narrowly defined. It does not mean that every papal statement is error-free. It concerns definitive teaching on faith or morals under specific conditions described by Catholic doctrine. Most papal speeches, interviews, administrative decisions, and prudential judgments do not meet those conditions.
Titles and Vatican City
The pope has several ecclesial titles, but “pope” is the ordinary English term. He is also sovereign of Vatican City State, a civil role distinct from his sacramental office as bishop and his ecclesial role in the Catholic Church. The Holy See refers to the central governing authority of the Catholic Church and is not simply another name for Vatican City.
Teaching and councils
Popes participate in Catholic teaching through ordinary acts of the papal magisterium and, in rare defined circumstances, through teachings described as infallible. Ecumenical councils in Catholicism require papal confirmation or recognition. The relationship between papal primacy and episcopal collegiality remains an important topic in Catholic theology and ecumenical dialogue.
