Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about catholic popes & cardinals.
What is a Pope?
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the supreme head of the worldwide Catholic Church. He is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter and holds final authority on matters of doctrine, liturgy, and church governance.
Who is the current Pope?
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, has held the papal throne since his election in March 2013. He is the first Jesuit to become pope and the first to come from the Americas.
What is a Cardinal and how does that role differ from the Pope?
A Cardinal is a senior cleric chosen by the Pope to advise him on governance and, when the see is vacant, to vote in the conclave that selects the next pontiff. Cardinals rank above all other bishops but remain subordinate to the Pope in the Church hierarchy.
How is a new Pope elected?
Cardinal-electors (those under 80) lock themselves in the Sistine Chapel and cast secret ballots until one candidate garners a two-thirds majority. The process can take a single day or stretch over several days of repeated rounds of voting.
How many cardinals are in the Church?
The total number shifts as the Pope creates new cardinals and as existing ones retire or die. In the mid-2020s the College stands at roughly 230 members, of whom about 120 hold the right to vote in a conclave.
Where does the papal administration operate from?
Vatican City, a 44-acre independent state surrounded by Rome, Italy, houses the Apostolic Palace, the papal offices, and St. Peter's Basilica. It functions as both the spiritual headquarters of the Church and a sovereign entity under international law.
How long does a Pope serve?
The office is traditionally held for life, though a pope may voluntarily resign, as Benedict XVI did in February 2013. No modern pope has been deposed, making the 2013 resignation the first voluntary one in nearly six centuries.
Who is considered the first Pope?
Catholic tradition identifies the apostle Peter as the first Bishop of Rome and therefore the first holder of the papal office. This succession line is the theological foundation of the papacy, though scholars continue to debate the precise historical details of Peter's ministry in Rome.
What are some landmark recent moments in papal history?
Benedict XVI's 2013 resignation broke a centuries-old pattern, and Francis's 2015 encyclical Laudato Si' placed climate stewardship at the center of Catholic teaching. Francis's 2023 trip to the Middle East and his ongoing emphasis on synodality have also marked a distinct era in papal leadership.
Where should a newcomer begin exploring popes and cardinals?
Start with a short overview of the conclave process and the structure of the College of Cardinals, then read biographical sketches of a few transformative pontiffs such as John XXIII, John Paul II, and Francis. That combination of institutional context and personal narrative makes the broader history much easier to follow.