The pope's job is to serve as the bishop of Rome and the visible head of the worldwide Catholic Church, acting as the spiritual leader for over a billion Catholics globally
. He holds supreme authority in matters of faith, morals, church discipline, and governance, with the belief that when he teaches doctrine on faith or morals, he is protected from error by the Holy Spirit (papal infallibility)
. His duties include:
- Guiding the Catholic Church worldwide and maintaining its doctrines
- Acting as the head of the Vatican City State, a sovereign entity
- Meeting regularly with bishops from around the world to discuss the state of their dioceses and church matters
- Traveling internationally to promote unity, address global issues such as climate change, refugee crises, and terrorism, and meet with world leaders and influential figures
- Leading religious ceremonies, delivering blessings, and providing moral and spiritual guidance to Catholics
- Appointing bishops and cardinals who oversee various regions of the Church
The pope is considered the successor to Saint Peter, who was entrusted by Jesus with leadership of the Church, symbolized by the "keys to heaven"
. This role combines religious, political, and moral responsibilities, making the pope both a religious leader and a head of state
. In summary, the pope's job is to lead, unify, and govern the Catholic Church globally while serving as a moral and spiritual guide for Catholics and representing the Church in the international community
