the pope's titles: names pertaining to the Holy Father's office

THE POPE'S TITLES:THE NAMES PERTAINING TO THE HOLY FATHER'S OFFICE

How many names the pope has?

Really many

The papacy is the office held by the pope and is a concept that has developed from the tradition surrounding the apostle Peter's life, ministry, and martyrdom in Rome into the modern age.

The titles of the popes are numerous, historically and theologically significant:

1- Bishop of Rome: he is the bishop of Rome and chief shepherd or pastor of what is called the " Holy see" or the " Apostolic See", a diocese comprised of parish churches, parish priests, local church members and all of the administrative apparatus required for diocesan administration. The vicar general of the dioces of Rome is usually a cardinal and the pope's local cathedral is the basilica of saint John in Lateran, which is a legacy from the emperor Constantine.

2- Vicar of Jesus Christ: The title Vicar of Jesus Christ supplanted the more common, earlier, " Vicar of Peter", which was adopted by pope Leo the Great in the fifth century. Its adoption as an official title coincided with the monarchical development of the papacy.

3- Successor of the Chief of the Apostles: this title define the papal succession in a way unique to any office in the church. Only the successor of Peter" You are Peter.... I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven" Jesus said in Matthew, chapter 16. And the text of this gospel passage is engraved in the dome of saint Peter's basilica in letters six feet high.

4- Supreme pontiff of the Universal Church: with this title the pope claims jurisdiction over all other priests and pastors in the world. The title is adapted from the Roman Pontifex Maximus, a responsibility held by the head of the College of Pontiffs, a sacred college in ancient Rome. It illustrates, as do so many aspects of the papacy, the influence of the imperial style and organization on the catholic church. The issue of papal primacy, which has been the source of schism and lingering resentments among Christian denominations worldwide, is encompassed by the scope of this title. The pope is also sometimes called the " Roman Pontiff".

5- Patriarch of the West: the pope is one the seven patriarchs, the " fathers" of sees that trace their origin directly to the apostles.

6- The primate of Italy: the primate of Italy is, simply, the titular chief national bishop of Italy.

7- Archibishop and metropolitan of the Roman Province: this title reflects a number of things, including further vestiges of imperial prestige that began to accrue to the bishop of Rome during the early medieval period. " Archibishop" and " metropolitan" are roughly equivalent terms, signifying the jurisdiction over the other local bishops in the province, a territory that extends beyond more than one diocese. As a metropolitan, the bishops wear the pallium within his jurisdiction whenever vested in sacred vestments, as for the mass. The pope wears his pallium at all times and places when properly vested, as a sign that his jurisdiction is universal.

8- Sovereign of the vatican state: the pope is the king of his country. Today there are about 175 ambassadors to the Holy see, including the mission from the United States ( since 1983). The pope holds secular legal authority in all state matters and royal status among other sovereigns in the world.

VATICAN MUSEUM WALKING TOUR ITINERARY ( 3 hours )

PRIVATE TOUR

VATICAN MUSEUMS
SISTINE CHAPEL
SAINT PETER BASILICA

PEOPLE	COST
FROM 1 TO 2 PEOPLE	170 EURO IN TOTAL
FROM 3 TO 5 PEOPLE	70 EURO PER PERSON
FROM 6 TO 10 PEOPLE	60 EURO PER PERSON

THE PRICE INCLUDES

fluent english speaking private tour guide for 3 hours

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

taxi transportation from your hotel
entrance fees for the vatican museums: 15 euro each to pay cash

SPECIFICATIONS

the tour guide use to meet the customers at your hotel if it is centrally located;
tour payments will be in cash euro.
student admission at the vatican museums: if part of your family has students, please take with you your student card and you'll pay 9 euro each to get into the museums of the vatican city.
children admission: from 0 to 11 years old free.

THE PROBLEM OF THE LINE AT THE VATICAN MUSEUMS

the best hours to visit the vatican are early in the morning ( meeting you at the hotel at 7.30 am ) or in the early afternoon ( meeting you at the hotel or directly at the vatican at 12.30 pm ).
to enter the vatican city is requested to wear long pants and shirts with half sleeves.
people with shoulders uncovered is not accepted .
if women decide to wear skirts, the skirt's lenght must cover the knees.

THE VATICAN MUSEUMS ARE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS

THE LINE TO ENTER THE VATICAN IS CALCULATED IN AROUND 30 MINUTES EVERY DAY, NO MATTER AT WHAT TIME YOU DECIDE TO GO : THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF METAL DETECTOR DEVICES AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THE VATICAN MUSEUMS DOES NOT ACCEPT RESERVATIONS AS WELL DOES NOT PRESALE TICKETS IN ADVANCE.

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