The term "Papst" refers to the Pope, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope is considered the spiritual successor to Saint Peter, one of Jesus Christ's apostles. He resides in the Vatican City and has significant influence over Catholic doctrine and practices worldwide. The Pope is elected by the College of Cardinals during a conclave, which occurs when a Pope dies or resigns. The current Pope, as of October 2023, is Pope Francis, who has focused on issues such as social justice, climate change, and interfaith dialogue during his papacy.