paavi

Paavi is the title used for the bishop of Rome, the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church. In Finnish usage, paavi refers specifically to the pope, while in other languages the term Pope is used. The word derives from Latin papa and Greek pappas, meaning “father.”

Role and authority

The pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, whom Catholic tradition presents as entrusted with a special leadership role by Jesus. The pope serves as the universal shepherd of the Catholic Church, guiding doctrine, worship, and church discipline. The pope holds supreme but constrained authority: he can define issues of faith and morals infallibly when speaking ex cathedra, but most governance and legislation occur through the broader magisterium and the Holy See.

Election and residence

The pope is elected by the College of Cardinals in a conclave, usually held inside the Vatican. Cardinals under the age of 80 have voting rights. A two-thirds majority is typically required to elect a pope. The newly elected pope accepts the office and typically serves for life, though a papal resignation has occurred in modern times. The pope resides primarily in Vatican City, the independent city-state that houses the Holy See, the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the pope and the central governing body of the Catholic Church.

History and symbols

The papacy developed in the early centuries of Christianity and has played a central role in religious, political, and cultural history. Papal insignia commonly include the Keys of Peter and, in historical contexts, the papal tiara; the pope is also known for the white papal cassock and for issuing encyclicals and other apostolic writings.

Relation to state

Vatican City became an independent entity in 1929 under the Lateran Treaty, providing a sovereign framework for the pope’s residence and the Holy See’s activities.