What is the pope's importance to Catholics?

Answer 1

The pope is the head of the Catholic Church. He is elected by the College of Cardinals upon the death of the preceeding pope. Each pope is recognized as the successor to St. Peter, whom Jesus designated as the head of his church upon his own death. The pope's decisions on Catholic doctrine are absolute. The pope lives in Vatican City, which is in Rome, although it is not part of Rome or of Italy. The Vatican City is an independent country. All that being said, it is also a fact that the Catholic Church is very large, including millions of people, and we are diverse enough to have differing opinions on the pope, his role, his importance, and his succession to St. Peter. However, after growing up as a Roman Catholic and attending 12 years of Catholic education, the above paragraph is what we are taught and believe in school and in church.

Answer 2

Roman Catholic AnswerThe Pope, or Holy Father, is elected by the Cardinals but does not derive his authority from them. He is elected to serve as the Vicar of Christ on earth as successor of St. Peter; he is infallible in teaching, and he has full and supreme power of jurisdiction over the whole Church, and directly and immediately over every Catholic, and all this in virtue of his office and permanently. Even a full ecumenical council of the entire Church has no authority whatsoever until it has been confirmed by Christ's Vicar. (extracted from A Catholic Dictionary, edited by Donald Attwater, Second edition, revised 1957)

Answer 3

The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church

Answer 4

The pope is considered by Catholics to be the Vicar of Christ on earth, He is the spiritual leader for 1.2 billion Catholics around the world.