The name "pope" seems at first to have been
applied to all priests as a title of respect and affection. The Greek Church
still continues this use of the word. In the West it gradually came to be
reserved to the bishop of Rome as his official title. The pope was addressed in
speaking as "Your Holiness." His exalted position was further
indicated by the tiara, or headdress with triple crowns, worn by him in
processions. He went to solemn ceremonies sitting in a chair supported on
the shoulders of his guard. He gave audience from an elevated throne, and all
who approached him kissed his feet in reverence. As "Christ's Vicar"
he claimed to be the representative on earth of the Almighty.
THE POPE AS THE HEAD OF WESTERN CHRISTENDOM
The pope was the supreme lawgiver of the Church. His decrees
might not be set aside by any other person. He made new laws in the form of
"bulls" [28] and by his "dispensations" could in particular
cases set aside old laws, such as those forbidding cousins to marry or monks to
obtain release from their vows. The pope was also the supreme judge of the
Church, for all appeals from the lower ecclesiastical courts came before him
for decision. Finally, the pope was the supreme administrator of the Church. He
confirmed the election of bishops, deposed them, when necessary, or transferred
them from one diocese to another. No archbishop might perform the functions of
his office until he had received the pallium from the pope's hands. The
pope also exercised control over the monastic orders and called general
councils of the Church.
[28] So called from the lead seal (Latin bulla)
attached to papal documents.
