papado

The Papacy, or papado, is the office and jurisdiction of the Pope, the bishop of Rome, and the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church. It also refers to the Pope’s governance of the Catholic Church and, in modern terms, to the status and authority of the Vatican City State, an independent city-state established in 1929.

Origins and authority: Catholics trace the Papacy to the Apostle Peter, regarded as the first bishop of Rome and leader of the apostles. Over centuries, the bishop of Rome developed a unique primacy within the Church, viewed as the successor of Peter and the universal shepherd of Catholics worldwide. The pope’s authority is exercised in doctrinal teaching, governance, and pastoral oversight.

Structure and governance: The Pope governs through the Curia, a body of congregations, offices, and commissions; he also appoints cardinals who elect a new pope in a papal conclave. The Church’s magisterium is the teaching authority attributed to the pope and the broader College of Bishops in communion with Rome. The Vatican City State, led by the pope, operates as an independent sovereign entity.

History and milestones: The Papacy evolved from the early Christian church, gained temporal influence in the Middle Ages, and faced the East–West Schism of 1054. The Protestant Reformation and the Counter-Reformation reshaped Western Christianity. The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) introduced wide-ranging reforms in liturgy, ecumenism, and church governance.

Contemporary role: Today the papacy maintains spiritual leadership for Catholics worldwide, engages in diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and interfaith dialogue, and issues encyclicals and statements on social and theological issues. The pope is elected by the College of Cardinals in a conclave, typically held in the Vatican; the current pope, Pope Francis, has pursued reforms and outreach.