the pope
The pope is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and is considered the spiritual successor to Saint Peter, one of Jesus Christ's apostles. The pope resides in Vatican City, an independent city-state surrounded by Rome, Italy. He is responsible for guiding the church's teachings, overseeing its global activities, and representing the church in diplomatic matters.
The current pope, as of October 2023, is Pope Francis, who was elected in 2013. He is known for his emphasis on compassion, social justice, and interfaith dialogue. The pope also plays a significant role in addressing global issues, such as poverty and climate change.