“Pope” is the most popular title given to the earthly leader of the Church founded by Jesus Christ. It comes from the Greek word “pappas,” which means “father.” Other titles for the Pope include: Vicar of Christ, Successor to Saint Peter, Supreme Pontiff, Bishop of Rome, Holy Father, and the most telling title of all---the Servant of the Servants of God.

What is a vicar? A vicar is a person who takes the place of another person. In Saint Matthew’s gospel (16:18), our Lord says to Peter, “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Peter was chosen the first pope by Jesus Himself. Our Lord goes on in Matthew’s gospel (16:19) to entrust to Peter the keys to God’s kingdom and God’s authority to make binding decisions. “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. And whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Later in Matthew’s gospel (18:18) Jesus also gives the other Apostles the authority to make binding decisions; but He only gives Peter the keys to the kingdom. When Jesus ascends into heaven, Peter becomes the Vicar of Christ because he stands in the place of Jesus as leader of His Church on earth.

The word “Pontiff” comes from the Latin “pontem facere” which means to build a bridge. Originally, the Roman Emperor was called the Supreme Pontiff: the chief bridge builder. It wasn’t until the 4th century that people first referred to the Pope as the Supreme Pontiff. It is an appropriate title since the Pope is the chief bridge builder between the followers of Christ, His Church, and God Himself.

The Apostles were the first bishops of the Church. Tradition says that Saint Peter founded the “See” of Rome in 42 A.D. By Peter’s mere presence and death in Rome, it became the primary see of the Church. Each divinely appointed successor to Peter has been entrusted with the authority given Peter to lead Christ’s Church as the Bishop of Rome.

“Holy Father” is perhaps the most loving and affectionate papal title. Down through the ages a father has been seen most frequently, but not always, as leader, source of strength and courage, protector, and provider of the family. Most of us as children found comfort in our father’s presence. Most of us saw our father as a source of wisdom and knowledge. Most of us placed our trust in him. The pope is the spiritual father of all the Christian faithful. For two thousand years, men and women of faith have placed their trust in the Holy Father’s compassion and commitment to Christ and His Church.

All bishops in the Church, from the Apostles to their current day successors, have been first and foremost servants to the children of God. In the Bible (Mt 20:28) Jesus tells us that He came to serve, not to be served. Jesus bestowed on Peter special gifts that were not to be viewed as privileges but as sources of strength and humility in serving others. Jesus also bestowed on the other Apostles many of the same special gifts. Each bishop is a servant for Christ who has been called to serve the spiritual needs of his diocese. The Pope is the servant of the servants. He not only serves the spiritual needs of the universal Church, but the spiritual needs of all its bishops.

Every successful organization is guided by a core set of principles, values, and beliefs. One person assumes or is given responsibility for leading the successful organization and in ensuring that its core set of principles, values, and beliefs are maintained. God’s universal Church is the best example of the application of these two statements. Like a successful organization, the Church is guided by a core set of principles, values, and beliefs: the complete Word of God as found in Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture and interpreted by the Magisterium. Like a successful organization, one person in the Church has been given authority to maintain its core set of principles, values, and beliefs. Who is this person? The current Pope, John Paul II.

Saint Jerome is one of the greatest scripture scholars to have ever lived. At the end of the 4th century he wrote, “I follow no leader but Christ and join in communion with none but your blessedness [Pope Damasus I], that is, with the chair of Peter. I know that this is the rock on which the Church has been built.” This great Bible scholar did not question the authority of the Pope. In light of the same wisdom, no one alive today, whether scripture scholar, theologian, clergy, politician, or lay person, should question the authority of the Pope.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says in 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.’ ‘For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered.’” CCC 883 goes on to say, “The college or body of bishops has no authority unless united with the Roman Pontiff, Peter’s successor, as its head.” (The CCC is quoting Lumen Gentium 22/23 from Vatican II.)

Papal authority comes from Jesus Christ. The execution of this authority by the Holy Father is guided by the Holy Spirit. When we place our trust in the Pope, we are placing our trust in God.

For more insight read CCC paragraphs 100, 551-553, 880-884, 891-892, 937, 1369, 1463, 1559, 2034. Also, pull out your “Catholic” Bible and reference Is 22:20-22; Mt 16:13-19; 18:15-18; Lk 10:16; 22:31-32; Jn 21:15-17; Acts 15:1-12.