What is the role of the pope?

The pope is the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church and the head of state of Vatican City State. The current office-holder is Pope Benedict XVI, who was elected in a papal conclave on 19th April 2005.

The role of a pope is to exercise jurisdiction based upon the tradition that the apostles Saints Paul and Peter were martyred in Rome. He is the leader of the world-wide Catholic Church.

The main role of the Pope is to act as the leader of the Catholic Church. He has the final say on issues affecting the church, and on new laws and practices to be followed by Catholic faithful. The Pope acts as the senior-most guide to those faithful in Christ, ensuring that they adhere as closely as possible to the teachings of Christ.

The Pope, as Bishop of Rome and successor of Peter, is the visible and perpetual foundation of unity among the bishops and among Christ's faithful. The Bishop of Rome has, by virtue of his role as the Vicar of Christ and as Pastor of the entire Church, a full, supreme and universal authority.

The papacy is the word for the office and the power of the pope of Rome. The pope is the chief administrator of the Catholic Church. He appoints bishops and the cardinals, who will in turn elect his successor. The pope is the final intermediary of both executive and doctrinal disputes.

The pope is the spiritual head of the Catholic Church. He continues the role of St. Peter which was instituted after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and acts as the head of state of the independent sovereign state of Vatican City. As of 2005, the current pope is Pope Benedict xvi.