Who is The Pope?

Who is the Pope? In your groups discuss the following: Who is the Pope? What is his role? Where does he live? What purpose does he serve?

The Pope has more than one title. Can you name any of the others? Holy Father Bishop of Rome Pontiff

The First Pope Use a Bible to look up the following reference Mat. 16:15-19 "Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah...you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; and whatever you loosed on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Saint Peter Who was Saint Peter? Discuss in your groups what you know about Saint Peter and what part he plays in Jesus’ life.

Upon this rock…. In the Bible is states that Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church” What do you think Jesus meant by this? What rock?

Pope Benedict XVI Papacy began19 April 2005 (4 years, 127 days) PredecessorJohn Paul IIJohn Paul II Birth nameJoseph Alois Ratzinger Born16 April 1927 ) (age 82)Bavaria, GermanyBavaria Germany DenominationRoman CatholicRoman Catholic

Pope Benedict XVI There are Roman numerals after the Pope’s name. Discuss with your group: What number do you think these numerals represent? What is the purpose of the numerals? Why do you think the Pope chose this name?

Why Benedict? Pope Benedict XVI chose the name Benedict for several reasons. At his papal audience on April 27, 2005, he explained his motivations for adopting the name. "I want to call myself Benedict XVI to bind myself to the venerated Pope Benedict XV, who guided the church in a troubled period because of the First World War. He was a courageous and authentic prophet of peace and worked with valiant courage first to prevent the drama of war and then to limit its nefarious consequences. In his footsteps, I want to place my ministry at the service of reconciliation and harmony among individuals and peoples, deeply convinced that the great good of peace is, first of all, a gift of God, a fragile and precious gift to invoke, safeguard and build day after day with the help of everyone."

Headgear! The pope traditionally wears two objects on his head. The white skullcap is called a zucchetto.

And the ceremonial head covering, that looks a bit like the chess piece it inspired, is called a mitre.

Rome, Italy - specifically, Vatican City, Italy. He lives in a building referred to as the Papal Palace within the papal apartments which are reserved specifically for his use. Vatican City is a city within Rome. It has its own government and entirely separate police force whose primary responsibility is to protect the Pope and the buildings within Vatican City. Where does the Pope live?

The Swiss Guards The Papal Swiss Guard in the Vatican was founded in 1506 and is the only Swiss Guard that still exists. They protect the Pope and are the official military of the Vatican City.

The Popemobile Popemobile was designed to allow the Pope to be more visible when greeting large crowds. It has bulletproof glass for the Pope’s protection.

Does The Pope retire? The Pope can retire but in the history of the papacy only a few have. The Pope is expected to stay in office until death at which point another Pope will be elected.

How is a new Pope elected? The highest ranking cardinal obtains a death certificate and removes the pope's ceremonial ring, the Ring of the Fisherman. Worn by all popes in the last 800 years, the Fisherman's Ring is a gold ring bearing an image of St. Peter casting his net from a boat, encircled by the current pope's name. It is a symbol of the pope's authority, and will be destroyed later at a meeting of the cardinals. pope is elected by 120 elector cardinals No earlier than 15 days and no later than 20 days after a pope's death, the College of Cardinals meets in conclave to elect a new pope. Conclave takes place in the Sistine Chapel, a small room with the famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo within St. Peter's Basilica. Cardinals are not permitted to have any contact with the outside world (no television, no newspapers, no letters, no phone calls) during the papal elections under pain of excommunication.

The pope is elected by write-in vote on a secret ballot. Each cardinal is given a small rectangular ballot with the Latin words Eligo in Summum Pontificem, "I elect as supreme pontiff," printed at the top. He silently indicates his vote by writing a person's name with a pen below those words. After the vote, all the ballots and notes are burned. If the proper majority has been reached and the elected person has accepted, white smoke appears above the Vatican to inform the anxiously-awaiting world that a pope has been elected. If a pope has not been elected, water or a special chemical is added to the ballots so that black smoke appears. The vote is repeated for as long as it takes until a pope has been elected. Black smoke White smoke

About the Pope The Pope is not the head of the Catholic Church. He is the Bishop of Rome with Christ as the head of the Catholic Church. He is respected as a leader and loved as a very devout and pious man. Having a pope provides the Church with unity and uniformity. The Pope works very hard and has a huge responsibility on his shoulders. He is only human.