Why does the Catholic Church need a pope?
– Sheryl

The Catholic Church teaches that the papacy is not a human invention, but a divine institution established by Christ Himself. In Matthew 16:18–19, Jesus said to Peter: “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 

This passage is foundational: Peter is singled out among the Apostles and entrusted with a unique authority. The “keys” signify governance and stewardship, echoing Isaiah 22:22, where authority is conferred upon the steward of the house of David: “I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; what he opens, no one will shut, what he shuts, no one will open.” Catholics see in this moment the establishment of the Papal office — a visible head through whom Christ shepherds His flock.

Catholic theology deepens this scriptural truth. The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms that “the Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter’s successor, is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful. For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered” (CCC 882).

Just as Christ prayed in John 17:21 that His disciples might be one, the papacy ensures that the unity of the Church is not merely invisible or spiritual, but concrete and institutional. The pope serves as the principle of communion: guaranteeing fidelity to apostolic teaching, preserving doctrinal clarity, and acting as the supreme arbiter in disputes of faith and morals. Without such a center of unity, Christianity would fragment endlessly — something borne out historically in the splintering of Christian communities where no such office is recognized.

On a practical level, the Church needs a pope to guide her in the midst of a world often hostile to the Gospel. The pope provides leadership that transcends nations, cultures, and political systems. He gives voice to the moral law in global debates, advocates for the poor and vulnerable, and offers a paternal presence to over a billion Catholics worldwide. In times of crisis — whether theological confusion, persecution, or social upheaval — the pope can speak with a clarity and authority that individual bishops alone cannot muster. His role is not to replace Christ, but to serve as Christ’s visible vicar on earth, reminding the Church of her mission to proclaim salvation to all nations (cf. Matthew 28:19–20).

In the end, the papacy is a gift from Christ to His Church: a sign of God’s providence, ensuring that the faithful are never left without a shepherd. Just as Peter was charged in John 21:17 to “tend my sheep,” so too each successor of Peter is called to nourish the flock with truth and charity. The pope’s ministry of unity, authority, and pastoral care is thus not merely useful, but essential to the Catholic vision of the Church as the Body of Christ —one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.

• Father Marty Smith is pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church (Jerseyville), Holy Ghost Church (Jerseyville), St. Patrick Church (Grafton), and St. Mary Church (Fieldon), is Dean of the Jerseyville Deanery, and Regional Vocations Director (Jerseyville Deanery) for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.