Pope

This article is about Popes in general. For the current Pope, see Pope Francis.

The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church.^[1] His official title is the Bishop of Rome.^[2] Politically, he is also the head of state or sovereign of the Vatican City. ^[2] The current Pope is Pope Francis.^[3]

Popes are elected by Cardinals of the Catholic Church. Once they are elected, they hold the position until they die or resign. The Pope can’t be an organ donor.^[4] Usually they do not resign, though; Pope Benedict XVI is the only Pope to resign in the last 500 years. A newly elected Pope chooses a regnal name. Everyone is told this new name when the Habemus Papam is read out. The current pope (Francis) was called Jorge Bergoglio before he became a pope.

The name Pope comes from the Greek word pappas, meaning "father".^[1] Catholics believe that when making statements ex cathedra, that is official statements teaching about faith and morals, the Pope is infallible - which means God will not allow his followers to be misled by allowing their leader to make a wrong statement. Only two of any Pope's statements have been ex cathedra.^[5]

Popes today travel to many countries around the world preaching. The Pope is the only person in the world who both leads the church and government. Like other bishops he wears a big hat called a mitre and holds a staff called a crosier.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Pope," 'Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2013-4-1.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Thomas J. Reese, Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1996), p. 10
3. ↑ "List of Popes," 'Catholic Encyclopedia; retrieved 2013-4-1.
4. ↑ Herald, The Catholic (2011-02-05). "Pope cannot be organ donor, Vatican official says". Catholic Herald. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
5. ↑ Apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus, written by Pope Pius XII, 1 November 1950 "Munificentissimus Deus".; Apostolic constitution Ineffabilis Deus, written by Pope Pius IX, 8 December 1854.