BISHOP OF ROME

The 'Bishop of Rome' is the bishop of the Holy See, more often referred to as the 'Pope'. The first Bishop of Rome to bear the title of "Pope" was Boniface III in 607, the first to assume the title of "Universal Bishop" by decree of Emperor Phocas. Earlier Bishops of Rome are customarily extended the title ''Pope'' as a courtesy, except in strict historical discourse. The title "Bishop of Rome" is also used in preference to ''Pope'' by some members of Eastern Orthodox and Protestant denominations, to reflect their rejection of papal authority over the Christian community.
Catholic tradition holds that the Bishop of Rome is the successor to the primacy of Simon Peter and thus the "Vicar of Christ" for the world as a whole. However, this is rejected by non-Catholic Christians. Early Bishops of Rome were designated ''vicar (representative) of Peter''; the more authoritative ''vicar of Christ'' was substituted for the first time by the Roman Synod of 495 to refer to Pope Gelasius I, an originator of the doctrine of papal supremacy—''Petrine'' supremacy among Catholics— among the patriarchs.

The Catholic view is founded on the verses in Matthew 16:18 and John 21:15-19. As Christ's Vicar, the Pope claims jurisdiction over the entire Christian Church and supreme authority over all matters of faith and morals. Modern Catholic doctrine concerning the Pope was authoritatively declared in the First Vatican Council (1870) in the Constitution "Pastor Aeternus".
Day-to-day administration of the Diocese of Rome is actually delegated by the Pope to the Cardinal Vicar.
By definition, no non-Catholic Christian acknowledges the Papal title of "Supreme Head of the Church" or any title that gives him universal ecclesiastical authority. This holds true especially for the Oriental Orthodox Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Anglican Communion and Slavic Church.

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External links

See also

★ Pope

★ Holy See

★ Apostolic succession

★ Bishop

★ Roman Catholic Church

External links

★ ''Catholic Encyclopedia'': see under Pope and Vatican Council for the official viewpoint