Pope

Bishop of Rome

Pontifex maximus

Pope
Catholic
Pope Leo XIV in 2025
Emblem of the Holy See and Vatican City
Emblem of the Holy See
Incumbent:
Pope Leo XIV
since 8 May 2025
StyleHis Holiness
Location
CountryVatican City
Ecclesiastical provinceEcclesiastical Province of Rome
Residence
HeadquartersApostolic Palace, Vatican City
Information
First holderSaint Peter
DenominationCatholic Church
Established1st century
DioceseRome
CathedralCathedral Archbasilica of St John Lateran
GovernanceHoly See
Website
vatican.va/holyfather

The Pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church in religious contexts and, politically, the head of state or sovereign of the Vatican City State, formerly the Papal States. The 2025 papal conclave elected Leo XIV.

Francis, pope 2013-2025

The Pope is elected by Cardinals. While any Catholic male in good standing with the church is considered eligible for the papacy, in practice the Pope is selected from amongst the college. Once they are elected, the Pope holds the position for life, or until he voluntarily resigns. In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI was the first Pope to resign in over 500 years. The Pope can’t be an organ donor.

A newly elected Pope chooses a regnal name, separate from his baptismal or birth name.

The title Pope is derived from the Greek word pappas, meaning "father". Catholic doctrine holds 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 false statement.

In the modern era, Popes are considered world leaders who travel on diplomatic missions- preaching as well as serving as a government representative of the Holy See. The Holy See is also represented by the apostolic nuncio, similar to an ambassador.

Statue of Pope Sylvester I before a church in Pisa. He was the bishop of Rome between 314–335

As head of the Holy See, the Pope is protected by the Swiss Guard and Vatican Gendarmerie, and is considered a citizen of Vatican City.

Recent popes

Recent Popes, and their tenures:

The Popes in Avignon

During parts of the Middle Ages, the French kings had a lot of influence in Europe. For this reason, seven popes (and two anti-popes) lived in Avignon, rather than Rome. The Avignon Papacy was from 1309 to 1377. During that time, the popes were known for their greed and corruption. These popes were allies of France; the enemies of France were also their enemies.

The Bishops of Rome who lived in Avignon were:

  1. Pope Clement V: 1305–1314
  2. Pope John XXII: 1316–1334
  3. Pope Benedict XII: 1334–1342
  4. Pope Clement VI: 1342–1352
  5. Pope Innocent VI: 1352–1362
  6. Pope Urban V: 1362–1370
  7. Pope Gregory XI: 1370–1378

Two antipopes were based in Avignon as well:

Antipopes were people that were elected by small groups who did not like the official choice. Catherine of Siena convinced pope Gregory XI to move back to Rome. Unfortunately, he died shortly after moving. The cardinals then elected Urban VI to be the next pope. The French cardinals did not recognise this election as legitimate. They declared the papal see as vacant; which led to the Western Schism. The schism lasted until the Council of Constance in 1417. During this time, there was a pope in Rome, an Antipope in Avignon, and for some time, a second antipope. Each of the three was recognised as legitimate pope by different European powers. This led to a big split in the church as a whole. The council elected Pope Martin V as a new pope, recognised by all parties.

References

Emblem of the popes
  1. ↑ Wilken, p. 281. "Some (Christian communities) had been founded by Peter, the disciple Jesus designated as the founder of his church. ... Once the position was institutionalized, historians looked back and recognized Peter as the first Pope of the Christian church in Rome."
  2. ↑ Thomas J. Reese, Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1996), p. 10
  3. ↑ Herald, The Catholic (2011-02-05). "Pope cannot be organ donor, Vatican official says". Catholic Herald. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  4. ↑ "Pope," 'Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2013-4-1.
  5. ↑ Lizzy Davies. "Pope Benedict XVI resigns," Guardian UK). 11 February 2013; retrieved 2013-2-11.
  6. ↑ Durant, Will. The Reformation. New York: Simon and Schuster. 1957. "Chapter I. The Roman Catholic Church." 1300-1517. p. 3-25
  7. ↑ Durant, Will. The Reformation. New York: Simon and Schuster. 1957. "Chapter II. England: Wyclif, Chaucer, and the Great Revolt." 1308-1400. p. 26-57

Other websites

Media related to Popes at Wikimedia Commons