Who leads the Catholic Church?

The Pope is the supreme spiritual leader of the Catholic Church and is recognized as the Bishop of Rome. This position not only involves overseeing the Church's operations and teachings but also provides the Pope with authority over all other bishops and parts of the Church worldwide. The Pope is considered the spiritual successor to Saint Peter, whom Catholics believe was appointed by Jesus as the head of his disciples and, by extension, the leader of the Church.

This hierarchical structure is central to understanding the governance within the Catholic Church, where the Pope serves as the primary point of unity for the faithful. In contrast, while bishops, patriarchs, and pastors hold important roles within the Church's structure, they operate under the authority of the Pope. Bishops oversee specific dioceses, and pastors manage local parishes, but the ultimate leadership and decision-making authority rest with the Pope.