The pope (Latin: papa, from Ancient Greek: πάππας, romanized: páppas, lit. 'father') [2] [3] is the bishop of Rome and the visible head [a] of the worldwide Catholic Church. He is also known as the supreme pontiff, [b] Roman pontiff, [c] or sovereign pontiff.

Pope during the First Council of Constantinople (381), the second ecumenical council, and the Council of Rome (382). First pope to be the official head of the church after Emperor Gratian abdicated the title of Pontifex Maximus .

Pope Francis [b] (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; [c] 17 December 1936) is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State.

Follow Vatican News for updates and information on the daily activities of Pope Francis.

Visiting the official website of the Holy See one can browse: the Magisterium of the Supreme Pontiffs (from Pope Leo XIII to Pope Francis); the fundamental texts of Catholicism in various languages (the Sacred Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the documents of the Second Vatican Council and the Code of Canon Law); the documents of ...

2 days ago · These are the latest news about Pope Francis, the Vatican, and the Catholic Church, provided by the Vatican staff of Catholic News Agency, a service of EWTN News.

Apr 6, 2025 · Pope Francis made a surprise public appearance on Sunday, the first time the leader of the Catholic Church has been seen in public since leaving hospital two weeks ago. Francis greeted crowds at ...

1 day ago · Pope Francis' doctor says they considered "letting him go" during hospital stay 01:21. A convalescing Pope Francis made a surprise in-person appearance when he greeted the crowd in St. Peter's ...

Apr 6, 2025 · pope, (Latin papa, from Greek pappas, “father”), the title, since about the 9th century, of the bishop of Rome, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. It was formerly given, especially from the 3rd to the 5th century, to any bishop and sometimes to simple priests as an ecclesiastical title expressing affectionate respect.

Apr 6, 2025 · LONDON -- Pope Francis on Sunday made his first public appearance since being discharged from hospital two weeks ago. Francis, 88, entered St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in a wheelchair to ...