Where is the pope in the Bible?

The title “pope” developed later, but the office appears in Scripture. Jesus gave Peter a unique authority among the apostles to strengthen the Church, guard its unity, and shepherd the whole flock.

Peter receives the keys. After Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus changes his name’s meaning into a mission: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church” (Mt 16:18). He then gives Peter “the keys to the kingdom of heaven” and authority to bind and loose (Mt 16:19). The image recalls the royal steward who received the key of the house of David and exercised authority under the king (Isa 22:20-22). Christ remains the supreme head and cornerstone. Peter serves under Christ as the visible steward of His kingdom.

Peter must strengthen and shepherd the others. At the Last Supper, Jesus tells Peter that Satan has demanded to sift all the apostles. Jesus then says, “I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers” (Lk 22:31-32). After the Resurrection, Jesus entrusts His whole flock to Peter three times: “Feed my lambs,” “Tend my sheep,” and “Feed my sheep” (Jn 21:15-17). This pastoral responsibility extends beyond Peter’s personal holiness. Peter had denied Christ, yet Christ restored him and confirmed his office.

Peter acts as the apostles’ leader. Peter is named first in the apostolic lists (Mt 10:2). He leads the choice of Judas’s successor (Acts 1:15-26), preaches the decisive sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41), speaks for the Church before authorities (Acts 4:8-12), and receives the revelation that opens the Church visibly to the Gentiles (Acts 10:9-48). At the Council of Jerusalem, Peter gives the decisive testimony concerning salvation by grace, after which the assembly falls silent (Acts 15:7-12).

Why there are successors. The apostles appointed others to continue their ministry, and Judas’s vacant office was filled after his death (Acts 1:20-26). The Church understands the bishops as successors of the apostles and the Bishop of Rome as successor of Peter. The pope therefore holds a permanent office of visible unity and pastoral authority in the universal Church (CCC 880-882). The exact procedures for electing a pope are Church discipline and have changed over time. The Petrine office itself belongs to the Church’s doctrine.

Read Matthew 16, Luke 22, and John 21 together. They show one consistent commission: Peter receives the keys, strengthens his brothers, and shepherds Christ’s flock.