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Roman Pope

Bishop of Rome
Bishopric
catholic
Coat of arms Holy See.svg
Pope Francis in March 2013 (cropped).jpg
Incumbent:
Francis
Since 13 March 2013
Style His Holiness
Province Ecclesiastical Province of Rome
Diocese Rome
Cathedral Archbasilica of St. John Lateran
First incumbent Saint Peter, according to Catholic tradition
Formation 1st century
Website The Holy Father
Styles of
The Pope
Emblem of the Papacy SE.svg
Reference style His Holiness
Spoken style Your Holiness
Religious style Holy Father
Posthumous style See here
Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City
Coat of arms of the Vatican City.svg
Coat of Arms of the Vatican
Incumbent Francis
Style His Holiness
Residence Apostolic Palace
First Sovereign Pope Pius XI
Formation 11 February 1929
Website www.vaticanstate.va

The pope (Latin: papa from Greek: πάππας pappas, a child's word for "father"), also known as the pontiff, is the Bishop of Rome, and therefore ex officio the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church. The primacy of the Roman bishop is largely derived from his role as the traditional successor to Saint Peter, to whom Jesus is supposed to have given the keys of Heaven and the powers of "binding and loosing", naming him as the "rock" upon which the church would be built. The current pope is Francis, who was elected on 13 March 2013, succeeding Benedict XVI.

The office of the pope is the Papacy. His ecclesiastical jurisdiction, the Diocese of Rome, is often called "the Holy See" or "the Apostolic See", the latter name being based upon the belief that the Bishop of Rome is the successor of Peter the Apostle. The pope is considered one of the world's most powerful people because of his diplomatic and cultural influence. He is also head of state of Vatican City, a sovereign city-state entirely enclaved within the Italian capital city of Rome.

The papacy is one of the most enduring institutions in the world and has had a prominent part in world history. The popes in ancient times helped in the spread of Christianity and the resolution of various doctrinal disputes. In the Middle Ages, they played a role of secular importance in Western Europe, often acting as arbitrators between Christian monarchs. Currently, in addition to the expansion of the Christian faith and doctrine, the popes are involved in ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, charitable work, and the defense of human rights.


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