A. Definition

The Pope is the vicar of Jesus Christ, the successor of the Apostle Peter, the head of the Catholic Church and also Bishop of Rome, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province of Italy, Sovereign of the Vatican City (cf. Annuario Pontificio). In ancient times, the title “Pope” (“Father”) was given to bishops. It was widely used in monastic circles and became the o…