Pope

The pope is the bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church, a role the Church understands as successor to Saint Peter.

Papal conclave: A gathering of cardinals that elects a new pope under rules established by the Catholic Church. It is the formal process that fills the papal office after a vacancy.
Saint Peter: An apostle of Jesus and an early leader of the Christian community in Rome, regarded by Catholics as the first pope. Catholic tradition grounds the pope’s succession in Peter’s leadership and martyrdom.
Pope Gregory I: The pope from 590 to 604, known for church administration, missionary activity, and influential theological writing. His pontificate helped define the practical and pastoral reach of early medieval papal leadership.
Eastern Orthodox Church: A communion of autocephalous Eastern Christian churches that share doctrine and sacramental life without a universal pope. It recognizes Rome’s historical honor but rejects universal papal jurisdiction.
Investiture Controversy: The eleventh- and twelfth-century conflict between popes and secular rulers over the appointment of bishops. It tested whether the pope or monarchs controlled appointments to powerful church offices.
College of Cardinals: The body of cardinals that advises the pope and elects his successor in a conclave. Its eligible members choose the next pope and assist with church governance.
Early Christianity: The diverse Christian movement that developed from the first-century followers of Jesus. The Roman bishop’s later authority emerged within this formative period.
Pope Gregory VII: The pope from 1073 to 1085 who pursued church reform and asserted papal authority against secular rulers. His conflict with Emperor Henry IV became a landmark struggle over who could appoint bishops.
Protestantism: A diverse family of Christian traditions arising from the Reformation, generally rejecting papal authority over the Church. Its churches differ from Catholicism over the pope’s authority and the source of ecclesial leadership.
Western Schism: The crisis from 1378 to 1417 in which rival claimants competed for recognition as pope. It fractured obedience to the papacy and forced the Church to resolve competing claims.

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