10 Things to Know About the Pope

Jeff delves into the role of the Pope, discussing 10 crucial aspects every Catholic should know. From the Pope as the successor of Peter to his role as the supreme pastor and teacher, and the significance of his infallibility, Jeff covers it all.

Shownotes

1. Successor of Peter

Catholics believe Jesus gave a unique role to the Apostle Peter: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church” (Matthew 16:18). The Pope, as Bishop of Rome, is Peter’s successor and carries on that role.

2. Visible Sign of Unity

The Pope serves as the visible head of the worldwide Catholic Church, keeping Catholics united in faith and practice across cultures and nations.

CCC 882: "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.'" (quoting Lumen Gentium 23)

3. Supreme Pastor (Shepherd)

He is called to shepherd the whole Church, caring for both the spiritual and pastoral needs of believers. He models the love of Christ, the “Good Shepherd.”

CCC 937 “The Pope enjoys, by divine institution, 'supreme, full, immediate, and universal power in the care of souls.'”

4. Teacher of the Faith

The Pope has the authority to teach on matters of faith and morals. His ordinary teaching helps guide Catholics to understand Scripture, Tradition, and Church doctrine.

CCC 888 "Bishops, with priests as co-workers, have as their first task 'to preach the Gospel of God to all men,' in keeping with the Lord’s command. They are 'heralds of faith, who draw new disciples to Christ; they are authentic teachers' of the apostolic faith 'endowed with the authority of Christ.'"

5. Guardian of Truth

He doesn’t create new revelations, but safeguards the deposit of faith handed down from the apostles. His task is to preserve, explain, and defend it faithfully.

CCC 890 “The mission of the Magisterium is linked to the definitive nature of the covenant established by God with his people in Christ. It is this Magisterium’s task to preserve God’s people from deviations and defections and to guarantee them the objective possibility of professing the true faith without error. Thus, the pastoral duty of the Magisterium is aimed at seeing to it that the People of God abides in the truth that liberates.”

CCC 2034 “The Roman Pontiff and the bishops are ‘authentic teachers, that is, teachers endowed with the authority of Christ, who preach the faith to the people entrusted to them...’”

6. Infallibility (in a Very Limited Sense)

When the Pope, speaking ex cathedra (“from the chair” of Peter), defines a doctrine of faith or morals for the whole Church, Catholics believe he is preserved from error by the Holy Spirit. This has only happened a handful of times (e.g., the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of Mary).

CCC 891-892 “The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful—who confirms his brethren in the faith—he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals. ... The infallibility promised to the Church resides also in the body of bishops when, together with Peter’s successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium, above all in an Ecumenical Council.”

CCC 892 (limited extension to ordinary Magisterium) “Divine assistance is also given to the successors of the apostles, teaching in communion with the successor of Peter, and, in a particular way, to the bishop of Rome, pastor of the whole Church, when, without arriving at an infallible definition and without pronouncing in a ‘definitive manner,’ they propose in the exercise of the ordinary Magisterium a teaching that leads to better understanding of Revelation in matters of faith and morals. To this ordinary teaching the faithful ‘are to adhere to it with religious assent’ which, though distinct from the assent of faith, is nonetheless an extension of it.”

7. Head of the Bishops

The Pope doesn’t govern alone. He works with the bishops of the world, who are successors of the apostles. Together they form the teaching authority of the Church (the Magisterium).

CCC 881 “The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the ‘rock’ of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock. The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of apostles united to its head. This pastoral office of Peter and the other apostles belongs to the Church’s very foundation and is continued by the bishops under the primacy of the Pope.”

8. Leader in Evangelization

The Pope helps direct the Church’s mission of spreading the Gospel, advocating for peace, justice, and care for the poor and vulnerable worldwide.

CCC 858 “Jesus is the Father’s Emissary. From the beginning of his ministry, he called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach.’ From then on, they would also be his ‘emissaries’ (Greek apostoloi). In them, Christ continues his own mission: ‘As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ The apostles’ ministry is the continuation of his mission; Jesus said to the Twelve: ‘he who receives you receives me.’”

9. Servant of the Servants of God

One of the Pope’s traditional titles is “Servant of the Servants of God.” This reminds us that his role is not domination, but humble service to Christ and the Church.

CCC 882 “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.” (Here, unity is exercised as a service to the whole Church.)

CCC 1551 “This priesthood is ministerial. ‘That office ... which the Lord committed to the pastors of his people, is in the strict sense of the term a service.’ It is entirely related to Christ and to men. It depends entirely on Christ and on his unique priesthood; it has been instituted for the good of men and the communion of the Church. The sacrament of Holy Orders communicates a ‘sacred power’ which is none other than that of Christ. The exercise of this authority must therefore be measured against the model of Christ, who by love made himself the least and the servant of all.”

10. Bridge Builder (Pontifex)

The word “Pope” comes from papa (“father”), and one of his ancient titles is Pontifex Maximus, meaning “bridge-builder.” His mission is to be a bridge between God and people, between Catholics around the world, and even in dialogue with other religions.

CCC 846 “All salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church, which is his Body.”