Bishop of Rome
The
Bishop of Rome is the
bishop of the
Holy See and is more commonly 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.
Roman 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 entire world. 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 Roman 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 Roman Catholic doctrine concerning the Pope was authoritatively declared in the
First Vatican Council (
1870) in the Constitution "Pastor Aeternus".
In the
Oriental Orthodox Church and the
Eastern Orthodox Church, the Bishop of Rome is accorded historical title to "first among equals" among the overseers of the church. The view that the Bishop of Rome has primacy of honour, first in
apostolic succession, has unofficial currency in the
Anglican communion and in a few other
Protestant churches. However, by definition, no Protestant acknowledges the Papal title of "Supreme Head of the Church" or any title that gives him universal
ecclesiastical authority.
*
Pope*
Holy See*
Apostolic succession*
Bishop*
Catholic Encyclopedia: see under Pope and Vatican Council for the official viewpoint
