Definition
Papal authority is the doctrine that the Pope, the bishop of Rome, holds supreme governing and teaching power within the Christian church. The claim rests on the belief that the Pope is the successor of the apostle Peter, to whom Christ entrusted leadership.
The scope of this authority, spanning both spiritual and worldly matters, was one of the most contested questions of medieval and early modern history.
Why it matters
How it works
The Pope claimed authority over the whole church and, at times, the right to judge or even depose rulers. This power was exercised through the appointment of bishops, the calling of councils, the issuing of doctrine, and tools such as excommunication. Eastern Christians rejected the claim of Roman supremacy, contributing to the Great Schism. Centuries later, reformers including Martin Luther rejected papal authority outright, fracturing Western Christianity and reshaping the political and religious order of Europe.