Who is the pope, and what does he do?

The pope is the Bishop of Rome and the successor of St. Peter. Christ gives him a unique responsibility to teach, sanctify, govern, and preserve the unity of the universal Church.

Where the office comes from. Jesus gave Peter a distinct role among the apostles. He renamed him Peter, meaning rock, promised to build His Church upon him, and gave him the keys of the kingdom with authority to bind and loose (Mt 16:18-19). Jesus also commanded Peter to strengthen his brethren and to feed His sheep (Lk 22:31-32; Jn 21:15-17). The Bishop of Rome succeeds Peter because Peter completed his ministry and died as a martyr in Rome. The Catechism calls the pope the visible source and foundation of unity among the bishops and faithful (CCC 880-882).

What the pope does. The pope has supreme, full, immediate, and universal pastoral authority in the Church (CCC 937). He appoints bishops, oversees the Church's discipline, approves universal laws, confirms ecumenical councils, and guards the Church's doctrine. He also encourages Catholics in holiness and represents the Church publicly. This authority is for service, following Christ, who came to serve rather than be served (Mk 10:42-45).

What papal authority does not mean. The pope is not sinless, inspired in every decision, or guaranteed to govern prudently. He cannot invent new revelation or reverse doctrines given by Christ. The Magisterium serves the Word of God and teaches only what has been handed on (CCC 86). Catholics may respectfully discuss a pope's prudential judgments, administrative choices, or personal opinions while remaining obedient to his legitimate authority.

When the pope is infallible. Papal infallibility applies under precise conditions. The pope must speak as supreme pastor of all Christians and definitively proclaim a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church (CCC 891). Most papal homilies, interviews, disciplinary decisions, and even many formal documents are not exercises of this extraordinary infallibility. They still deserve the level of respect and assent appropriate to their authority.

Pray for the pope by name, especially at Mass. Catholics need not treat him as a celebrity or agree with every personal judgment. They should receive his authentic teaching faithfully, interpret it within the Church's Tradition, and ask God to keep him steadfast in the faith.