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
Structure and governance: The Pope governs through the Curia, a body of congregations, offices, and commissions;
History and milestones: The Papacy evolved from the early Christian church, gained temporal influence in the
Contemporary role: Today the papacy maintains spiritual leadership for Catholics worldwide, engages in diplomacy, humanitarian aid,