The Pope is one of the most recognized religious figures in the world.
As the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, he is viewed by millions as the successor to the Apostle Peter and the head of Christ’s church on earth.
But does the Bible mention the Pope?
What does Scripture say about his role, authority, and position in the church?
These questions have been debated for centuries among Christians of different backgrounds.
To understand what the Bible says, we must examine key passages, church history, and the biblical role of leadership in the body of Christ.
Does the Bible Mention the Pope?
The word “Pope” does not appear anywhere in the Bible.
The term comes from the Latin word “papa,” meaning “father.”
It is a title used for the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, who is believed to have spiritual authority over all Christians.
However, while the title is not found in Scripture, Catholic tradition teaches that the concept of the Pope is based on Jesus’ words to Peter.
The key passage used to support this idea is Matthew 16:18-19, where Jesus says:
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
This verse is interpreted by the Catholic Church as Jesus giving Peter a special authority to lead the church.
They believe this authority has been passed down through an unbroken line of Popes.
But does the Bible actually support this idea?
Is Peter the First Pope?
Many believe that Peter was the first Pope because of Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:18.
But there is much debate over whether Jesus was referring to Peter himself or to something else.
The Greek word for “Peter” is “Petros,” meaning a small stone.
However, the word for “rock” in this passage is “Petra,” which means a massive rock or foundation.
Some interpret this to mean that Jesus was not calling Peter the rock, but instead referring to the confession of faith Peter had just made in Matthew 16:16:
Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
If Jesus was saying that faith in Him is the foundation of the church, then the authority was not given to Peter alone, but to all who believe in Christ.
Even Peter himself later wrote in 1 Peter 2:6-7:
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner.
Here, Peter makes it clear that Jesus is the foundation of the church, not himself.
While Peter was an important leader, the Bible does not teach that he had supreme authority over the church or that his position would be passed down to future Popes.
The Role of Church Leadership in the Bible
The Bible describes leadership in the church, but it does not mention a Pope or a single human leader with supreme authority.
Instead, the New Testament teaches that the church is led by elders, pastors, and deacons, all serving under Jesus Christ, who is the true head of the church.
Ephesians 1:22-23 says:
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Colossians 1:18 also confirms that Christ alone is the head:
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Nowhere in Scripture does it say that one man should take the role of supreme leader over all Christians.
Instead, leadership was shared among elders in each local church, as seen in Titus 1:5:
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.
This biblical model is very different from the idea of a Pope who has universal authority.
Did Peter See Himself as a Pope?
If Peter was the first Pope, we would expect him to have acted as one.
But when we look at Peter’s writings and actions, we see a different picture.
Peter never claimed to have supreme authority.
In 1 Peter 5:1-3, he wrote:
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.
Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
Peter called himself a fellow elder, not a supreme leader.
He instructed other elders to care for the church, but he did not place himself above them.
In Acts 15, when early church leaders gathered to discuss whether Gentiles needed to follow Jewish laws, it was James, not Peter, who gave the final decision.
This suggests that Peter was not functioning as the highest authority.
The Danger of Exalting One Man
The idea of having one man as the supreme head of the church raises concerns because the Bible warns against putting too much power in the hands of one person.
Jesus warned in Matthew 23:8-9:
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
This passage cautions against giving religious leaders titles that elevate them above others.
Yet the Pope is called “Holy Father,” a title that belongs to God alone.
Paul also warned about leaders who would rise and draw people away from Christ.
In Acts 20:29-30, he said:
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Throughout history, some Popes have taken positions that go against biblical teaching, showing the danger of giving one person too much authority.
What Should Christians Believe About the Pope?
Different Christian groups have different views on the Pope.
Roman Catholics believe he is the successor of Peter and has authority over the church.
Protestants, however, believe that no single person should have supreme power in the church, since Jesus is the only head.
The Bible teaches that all believers have direct access to God through Jesus Christ, without needing a Pope or any other religious figure to stand between them and God.
1 Timothy 2:5 says:
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
This means that every Christian can pray to God, read the Bible, and follow Christ without needing a religious leader to guide them.
Final Thoughts
The Pope is one of the most well-known religious leaders in the world, but the Bible does not teach that one man should have supreme authority over all Christians.
While Peter was a key figure in the early church, he did not act as a Pope or pass his role to others.
Instead, the Bible teaches that Jesus is the true head of the church, and leadership is shared among elders and pastors.
Christians are called to follow Jesus directly, studying Scripture and seeking His guidance rather than relying on a human leader.
Ultimately, the focus should not be on a Pope or any other religious figure, but on Jesus Christ, who is the foundation of the church and the only mediator between God and man.