What Are Some Privileges of the Pope?
The pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church and resides in Vatican City, which is a walled city within Rome, Italy. The pope is the spiritual leader of more than 1 billion people worldwide who have been baptized Roman Catholic. When the current pope passes away, the College of Cardinals enters a conclave where they elect a new pope. While being the spiritual leader for more than a billion people worldwide is a tough job, it does have some benefits.
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Name
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It has become tradition for a newly elected pope to select a new name upon accepting the papacy, although this was not always the case. The tradition began in 533 when a man named Mercurius was elected pope. Mercurius did not believe his name, derived from a pagan god, was appropriate for the pope, so he changed his name to Pope John II. Most popes choose the name of their favorite saint or a prior pope as their papal name.
Bishops
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Bishops are ordained ministers who oversee a Catholic diocese that has many churches in it. The pope appoints these bishops, removes them from their position if necessary or relocates them as needed. The pope is also the bishop of Rome, which means he administers Confirmation and Holy Orders. He administers Canon Law and acts as a judge within the diocese.
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Infallibility
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The pope is infallible in terms of Catholic teaching and dogma. This means the pope can make judgments about Catholic teachings, laws or dogma that are accepted as truth without question. The pope's infallibility does not mean the pope cannot sin or that he is never wrong, which some people mistakenly believe. His infallibility simply means his religious declarations and teachings are not questioned.
Ruler of Vatican City
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Vatican City, which is approximately 110 acres in area with a population of about 800 people, is ruled entirely by the pope. His title for this role is Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City. The pope has full legislative, executive and judicial power. Although the pope is guarded solely by the Pontifical Swiss Guard, the Vatican City's police force is known as the Corpo della Genarmeria. Each branch of the Vatican City's government is overseen by an individual or commission appointed by the pope.
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References
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