The pope is the bishop of Rome and the visible head of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church. He is also known by titles such as the supreme pontiff, Roman pontiff, and sovereign pontiff. The pope serves as the spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics globally and is regarded as the successor to Saint Peter, who is believed to have been appointed by Jesus Christ as the foundational "rock" of the Church
. The pope's role includes supreme authority over matters of faith, morals, church discipline, and governance. He appoints bishops and cardinals, directs church teachings, and represents the Holy See, which is the jurisdiction of the papal office and a sovereign entity headquartered in Vatican City-a city- state within Rome
. The papacy is one of the oldest continuing institutions in the world, tracing back to the first century with Saint Peter. The pope also functions as the head of state of Vatican City and is involved in ecumenism, interfaith dialogue, charitable work, and the defense of human rights
. Currently, as of April 21, 2025, the papacy is vacant following the death of Pope Francis. A new pope will be elected in the upcoming 2025 papal conclave
. In summary, the pope is the spiritual leader and highest authority of the Catholic Church, the bishop of Rome, and the sovereign of Vatican City, entrusted with guiding the Church's doctrine, discipline, and global mission
