Who is the leader of Catholic Church?

Answer 1

Catholic AnswerThe leader of the Catholic Church is Our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ. His Vicar (like a prime minister - based on Isaiah 22:19-25) on earth is the successor of St. Peter (see St. Matthew 16:17-19), the Holy Father in Rome, currently Pope Francis, who lives in Vatican City (a separate nation inside Rome). Each individual diocese is headed by a Bishop, who is a successor to the Apostles. Another PerspectiveThe leadership of the Catholic Church is maintained by it's organization and the heirarchy within that structure. It has a central governing body with the Pope as its universal, and visible, head in Rome. This is the major factor that distinguishes it from other Christian denominations.

All important communities need a leader who acts within the authority of that particular institution. The Catholic Church has a clearly define hierarchy of authority here on Earth based at the Vatican with the Pope as its leader. The Pope represents God on Earth as its supreme and visible leader.

According to Catholic doctrine, Christ constituted St. Peter as the leader of his church to take over for him when he died and went to be with his father in Heaven. Those who followed Peter succeeded him in that leadership. As leader of the Church, the Pope possesses supreme authority over it. The Pope has chief control over all aspects of Catholic life and matters of religion. The Pope has jurisdiction over the people of the Catholic faith and has supreme authority to define and decide in all questions of faith and Catholic morals. He has legislative and judicial authority. An appeal to him may be made to all ecclesiastical causes.

The current pope is Francis, who was elected on 13 March 2013, succeeding Benedict XVI.

Answer 2

The pope is the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church.