Who Does the Pope Answer To
The pope is the Bishop of Rome and the head of the worldwide Catholic Church. In Catholic teaching, he holds the highest teaching and governing authority in the church.
Accountability Within the Catholic Church
The pope is considered to be accountable to God and to church law. Major decisions are often reviewed by bodies such as the Roman Curia, which assist in the administration of the Holy See.
Sources on Papal Authority
According to Catholic doctrine, the pope’s authority is based on scripture and tradition, particularly the belief that Saint Peter was given a special role by Jesus. For more details on church structure, see Vatican.va.
