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The Pope (OSV Encyc. 1997)
Christ, present in his Church, continues to proclaim the message of Redemption and to offer the means of salvation to generation after generation: "I am with you always, to the close of the age" (Mt 28:20). He sent his Apostles and their successors to teach, guide and sanctify in his name, promising that he would be behind their teaching ("he who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me" (Lk 10:16), and guaranteeing those who obeyed their authority that it had a divine seal of approval placed on it: "whatever you [plural] bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you [plural] loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Mt 18:18).
But even before he gave his authority to the Apostles collegially, he had given it singly to Peter, choosing him as the foundation rock of the Church - "you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church" (Mt 16:18), and endowing him with the fullness of the authority which he was also later to give collegially to the twelve. As Jesus entrusted Peter with the keys of his kingdom, saying, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven", he added, "whatever you [singular] bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you [singular] loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Mt 16:19).
As the powers given to the College of the Apostles pass on down the centuries to the bishops, their successors, so the special and extra powers given to the head of the Apostolic College, pass to each of Peter's successors in the See of Rome. Commonly called the Pope, the Bishop of Rome and Head of the Catholic Church is known by several other titles. We can consider the most important of these.
Vicar of Christ. Vicar means someone who takes the place ("vices") of another. Peter was not elected by the rest of the Apostles in order to preside the Church. He was chosen by Our Lord himself to be his Vicar. To be a successor of Peter, as is each Pope, is different to being a successor of the Apostles - as are the other bishops. The Pope is always "Peter".
Only the Pope is the Vicar of Christ, for whom Christ specially prayed, whose faith will not fail, and who has the particular mission of confirming the whole body of Christ's followers, the brothers and sisters of Jesu Christ, in the faith. "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren" (Lk 22:31). "Jesus said to Simon Peter... "Feed my lambs"... "Feed my sheep"..." (Jn 21:15-17).
Supreme Pontiff. Peter appears throughout the Gospels as the leader and spokesman of the other Apostles. His special place among them was acknowledged by all from the start: "even among the Apostles, there was a certain distinction in power within an equality of honor, and while the choice of all was identical, to one alone preeminence was given over the others" (St. Leo the Great).
The primacy given to Peter and to each Pope as his successor, cannot be reduced to one of honor. It is a primacy of rule and government over the whole flock of Jesus (Jn 10:16) by which the Pope has immediate jurisdiction over each portion of the People of God, over each particular church and diocese (cf. cc. 331, 333; LG 18ff; CCC 880-882).
He is the first teacher of the Faith, with a God-given responsibility to defend it, and with special divine aid in doing so. But he is also the first Ruler and Legislator. The "power of the keys" entrusted to him (Mt 16:19) opens the doors of heaven for us.
The Gospels seem to make a point of not hiding Peter's defects and failures. But these evident defects did not prevent Christ from choosing him, nor stop others from accepting his authority. The lesson is clear for us: our respect, loyalty and obedience towards the Pope, whoever he may be, cannot depend on any impression or evidence of his human wisdom or sanctity. The guarantee given about the Pope by Christ was not that he would preserve him from the possibility of giving bad example, but simply from that of leading people astray by his teaching
We are not united to the Pope and through him to Christ, unless we are united to what he indicates in his role as Supreme Pastor. Denial of papal supremacy or authority led to the Anglican schism under Henry VIII. That separation from the authority of the Pope was followed, as always happens, by the progressive loss of major points of Catholic belief. Attachment to the Pope is always a sign, test and condition of attachment to Christ, and full union with him.
Servant of the servants of God ("Servus servorum Dei"). Christ's purpose in bestowing special gifts on Peter, was that they be considered and used not as privileges, but as means of serving others. The "higher" one is called in the Church, the greater one's mission of service in imitation of Jesus, who became the servant of all (cf. Mt 20:28). The Pope's life has to be spent in this service, always conscious of account he will have to give to his Master.
Holy Father. Catholics (and even non-Catholics) often refer to the Pope with this affectionate title, that is full of significance. The Pope is the father of this family of the Church where Christ wishes to gather the children of God into one (cf. Jn 11:52). His position has an objective holiness in itself which flows from its divine institution; and it therefore asks each Pope for a high degree of personal sanctity.
It is faith which enables Catholics to grasp the extraordinary gift of God to be found in the Papacy. This leads them to be united to the Pope, not first because of his wisdom or personality or human qualities or style, but because they see in him Christ's representative: the "sweet Christ on earth", in the expressive words of St. Catherine of Siena. Holiness in the Church is not conceivable in a person who lacks love for the Pope, who is not united to the Good Shepherd, who does not listen to his voice, or only listens to it reluctantly.
Awareness of the unique importance of the Pope in the plans of God should lead the faithful to accompany him constantly by prayer and small mortifications for him and his intentions.