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Bishop of Rome

Province	Rome
Diocese	Rome
Founded	1st century
Cathedral	St. John Lateran
Present bishop	Pope Benedict XVI
Signature	'

The Bishop of Rome is the bishop of the Holy See, more often referred to as the Pope. The first Bishop of Rome to bear the title of "Pope" was Boniface III in 607, the first to assume the title of "Universal Bishop" by decree of Emperor Phocas. Earlier Bishops of Rome are customarily extended the title Pope as a courtesy, except in strict historical discourse. The title "Bishop of Rome" is also used in preference to Pope by some members of Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Protestant denominations, to reflect their rejection of papal authority over the Christian Church.

Catholic tradition holds that the Bishop of Rome is the successor to the primacy of Simon Peter and thus the "Vicar of Christ" for the world as a whole. However, this is rejected by Orthodox Christians (who view the primacy as a primacy of honor, but not of universal jurisdiction) and Protestant Christians. Early Bishops of Rome were designated vicar (representative) of Peter; the more authoritative vicar of Christ was substituted for the first time by the Roman Synod of 495 to refer to Pope Gelasius I, an originator of the doctrine of papal supremacy—Petrine supremacy among Catholics— among the patriarchs.

Christ Giving the Keys to Peter, fresco by Pietro Perugino, 1481–82, commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV, Sistine Chapel, Rome: the act upon which papal authority depends

The Catholic view is founded on the verses in Matthew 16:18 and John 21:15-19. As Christ's Vicar, the Pope claims jurisdiction over the entire Christian Church and supreme authority over all matters of faith and morals. Modern Catholic doctrine concerning the Pope was authoritatively declared in the First Vatican Council (1870) in the Constitution "Pastor Aeternus".

Day-to-day administration of the Diocese of Rome is actually delegated by the Pope to the Cardinal Vicar.

By definition, all non-Catholic Christians reject the Papal title of "Supreme Head of the Church" or any title that gives him universal ecclesiastical authority. This holds true especially for the Oriental Orthodox Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and all Protestants.

• Pope
• Holy See
• Apostolic succession
• Bishop
• Roman Catholic Church

• Catholic Encyclopedia: see under Pope and Vatican Council for the catholic viewpoint