What Does a Pope Do?
AFP/APP
Vatican City: With Pope Francis laid to rest, the world’s cardinals will soon gather in Rome to elect a successor. So what exactly does a pope do?
Here is a rundown of the main responsibilities of the pontiff, the head of the worldwide Catholic Church:
Catholic Leader
The word “pope” comes from the Greek pappas, meaning “father” or “patriarch,” which is why believers call him the Holy Father.
He is considered the successor of St Peter, to whom Jesus Christ entrusted the mission of leading the Church.
Today, the pope serves as the spiritual guide of an estimated 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
His role is to preserve, interpret, and teach the Christian faith, as well as ensure the unity of the Catholic Church.
Head of State
The pope is the head of state and ruler of the tiny Vatican City State, the smallest country in the world at just 44 hectares, located within the Italian capital of Rome.
He exercises absolute power in all areas — from hiring and firing to managing the Vatican’s extensive property portfolio — although much of the work is delegated to senior clergy.
The pope has his own diplomats and frequently meets world leaders at the Vatican in what are known as private audiences.
Moral Guide
The pope holds influence well beyond the Catholic world, serving as a preeminent moral voice on the global stage.
Many non-Catholic leaders seek audiences with him, and his pronouncements often carry more weight than those of many elected politicians.
The Vatican enjoys non-member observer status at the United Nations and often acts as a neutral party in conflict zones.
Doctrine and Teaching
Through his homilies and written texts, Pope Francis provided guidance on a range of topics, from daily life — such as urging against gossip — to complex doctrinal issues.
He published several encyclicals (open letters to the global Church) covering subjects like social friendship and climate change.
Other key documents include apostolic exhortations (teaching documents) and motu proprio (legal changes initiated by the pope himself).
During his papacy, Francis paved the way for blessing same-sex couples, restricted the Latin Mass, and took significant steps to combat the sexual abuse of children by clergy.
Appointments
The pope approves the appointment of bishops — around 3,000 clergy who lead Catholic dioceses worldwide — and cardinals.
Cardinals, sometimes referred to as “princes of the church,” are senior clergy members; those under the age of 80 can vote to elect a new pope.
The pope also has the final say in declaring someone “blessed” or a “saint,” after investigations into miracles and virtues.
He can convene Synods — worldwide gatherings, which Francis notably opened to lay people for the first time — to address specific issues.
Travel
The pope travels to connect with Catholics around the world. John Paul II conducted the most apostolic voyages, with 104 visits abroad during his 26-year papacy. Pope Francis followed with 47 trips, often using his visits to highlight marginalized communities and key issues such as migration and inter-religious dialogue.
Bishop of Rome
As Bishop of Rome, the pope is responsible for administering his own diocese. Due to the constraints on his time, this responsibility is delegated to a Vicar General. However, the pope still actively participates in local events, regularly visiting churches and symbolic sites across Rome.
