The Catholic Church teaches that the Pope, as the Bishop of Rome and successor of St. Peter, holds a unique and supreme position within the Church, characterized by primacy and infallibility 1 2 3. This "greatness" is understood not as personal aggrandizement, but as a divinely instituted office for the good of the entire Church.

Primacy of the Roman Pontiff

The Pope's primacy is a foundational doctrine, meaning he holds supreme authority over the whole world and is the true Vicar of Christ and head of the entire Church 2 4 5. This authority was given to St. Peter by Jesus Christ to "feed, rule, and guide the universal Church" and is passed on to his successors in the Roman Episcopate by divine right 2 5.

Key aspects of papal primacy include:

• Successor of Peter: The Pope is recognized as the successor of St. Peter, who was given the mandate by Christ to shepherd His flock 1 2 5.
• Vicar of Christ: He is considered the true Vicar of Christ and the head of the whole Church 2 4 3.
• Teacher of all Christians: The Pope is the teacher of all Christians, responsible for preserving the purity and immutability of divine teaching 1 2.
• Primacy of Jurisdiction: The Roman Church, through the will of Christ, obtains primacy of jurisdiction over all other Churches 5. This means the Pope has full power to care for, rule, and govern the universal Church 4.
• Presides in Love: The Roman See of Peter "presides in love" and maintains a primacy among self-governing Churches, fulfilled through the Petrine ministry of the Bishop of Rome 1.

Papal Infallibility

Another crucial aspect of the Pope's unique office is infallibility, which is a charism granted by divine assistance to preserve the purity and immutability of divine teaching 1 6. This infallibility is not a personal attribute of the Pope as a private individual, but rather a charism exercised when he speaks ex cathedra 6 7 8.

Conditions for papal infallibility (ex cathedra) are specific:

• Office of Pastor and Teacher: The Pope must be carrying out his duty as the pastor and teacher of all Christians 6 8.
• Supreme Apostolic Authority: He must be speaking by virtue of his supreme apostolic authority 6 8.
• Defining Doctrine: He must be defining a doctrine of faith or morals 6 8.
• To be Held by the Universal Church: The doctrine must be intended to be held by the universal Church 6 8.

When these conditions are met, the Pope operates with the infallibility with which the Divine Redeemer wished His Church to be instructed in defining doctrine on faith and morals 6 7. Such definitions are considered unalterable "from himself, but not from the consensus of the Church," because they are pronounced with the assistance of the Holy Spirit 6 7. This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself 9 7.

It is important to note that while the Pope enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, the infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when they exercise the supreme Magisterium together with the Pope, especially in an Ecumenical Council 9 7 10.