Rome is a temple of History, Art and of dolce vita. However, it is also the cradle of Christianity, since it surrounds the small State of the Vatican City. Sovereign of this State is the Pope, who is also bishop of Rome, pontiff of the Christian Church and patriarch of the Latin Church.

The figure of the Pope was established by Christ himself, who entrusted to apostle Peter the duty of guiding the Universal Church. The title of Pope, though, dates back around to the 3rd century and is nowadays used for the living successor of apostle Peter. It is reported that Saint Paul and Saint Peter were the ones who chose Rome as the place where the temporal power had to be exercised, even though it was often changed and/or questioned over the centuries. The Pope’s office is called Papacy and he has ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the Holy See (or Apostolic See).

THE TITLES

The Pope owns the following titles::

• Bishop of Rome
• Vicar of Jesus Christ
• Successor of the Prince of the Apostles
• Primate of Italy
• Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church
• Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City
• Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province
• Servant of the Servants of God

THE INCUMBENT POPE

The incumbent Pope (Benedict XVI) is Joseph Alois Ratzinger, 256th bishop of Roma. He was appointed bishop in 1977 and is Doctor of Theology. He was elected Pope on 19th April 2005, after Pope John Paul II died.

HOW TO SEE THE POPE

You can see the Pope nearly every Sunday in St. Peter’s Square, where the Supreme Pontiff usually recites the Angelus from midday on. You can see him in case of specific religious celebrations, too.

THE PAPAL TOMBS

Beneath Saint Peter’s Basilica you can visit the so called Vatican Grotto with the tombs of several pontiffs and numerous precious works of art.