# Pope ## Catechism of the Catholic Church The successor of St. Peter as Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the universal Catholic Church. The pope exercises a _primacy_ of authority as Vicar of Christ and shepherd of the whole Church; he receives the divine assistance promised by Christ to the Church when he defines _infallibly_ a doctrine of faith or morals ([[1.2.3.9.p2a#^ccc-880|880]]-[[1.2.3.9.p2a#^ccc-882|882]]). _See_ [[papacy]]