The pope is the Bishop of Rome and head of state who represents the Holy See at the Vatican. The Holy Father governs and leads the Catholic Church from the Chair of St. Peter, the first pope.
Peter had a special role among the Apostles while following Jesus, accompanying Him during the most significant events of his public ministry. While the Bible lists Judas last among the Apostles, Peter is always listed first.
Peter acted as the spokesman for the Apostles, even before Jesus designated him as their leader. Originally named Simon, Jesus gave him a new name which means “rock”, indicating that Peter would be the rock He would build his Church on.
Jesus entrusted Peter with the task of tending and feeding his sheep. He also gave him the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and the authority of a prime minister to bind and loose – forgiving sins and reconciling sinners.
After the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles at Pentecost, it was Peter who delivered a powerful speech on behalf of the Apostles, and he continued to lead the Church throughout the Acts of the Apostles.
St. Peter became the Bishop of Rome, shepherding Jesus’ flock on Earth as the Vicar of Christ. Peter continues to speak to the Catholic Church through an unbroken line of successors which includes the current pope.
When teaching about faith and morals from the Chair of St. Peter (ex cathedra), the pope is free from error. Led by the pope and guided by the Holy Spirit into all truth, the teaching of the Catholic Church is considered infallible.
The pope is elected by the College of Cardinals, traditionally from among themselves, although any baptized male Catholic is technically eligible. The pope remains in office until he dies or resigns.
In the earliest centuries of the Church, the pope used his baptismal name. Some popes began choosing a new name because their original name was one of pagan origin. A name change has become standard practice, but is not required.
On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the 267th pope in the history of the Catholic Church, taking the name Leo XIV.
Catholics have a pope because Jesus said so:
Jesus gave Simon a new name for a new mission:
Jesus reestablished the Kingdom and made Peter the prime minister:
The pope is the successor to St. Peter:
Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in Heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven.”
Matthew 16: 16-19
The pope is the central point of the Church’s leadership:
Jesus established his Church with structure and authority:
Beginning with Saint Peter and up to myself, his unworthy successor, the Pope has been a humble servant of God and of his brothers and sisters, and nothing more than this. It has been clearly seen in the example of so many of my predecessors, and most recently by Pope Francis himself, with his example of complete dedication to service and to sober simplicity of life, his abandonment to God throughout his ministry and his serene trust at the moment of his return to the Father’s house. Let us take up this precious legacy and continue on the journey, inspired by the same hope that is born of faith.
Pope Leo XIV, Address to the College of Cardinals, 10 May 2025
Each bishop has authority with the Bishop of Rome having primacy:
Peter was the first Bishop of Rome:
The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter’s successor, “is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful.” “For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church 882
The pope is elected by the College of Cardinals:
The election of a new pope often brings a new name:
The Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of the Catholic Church
What is true is more important than what feels good:
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