Approaching the West — Page 68
A pproaching the West—68 community were considered “vicars” of Christ, but later, in mid-twelfth century, the title ‘Vicar of Christ’ was exclusively given to the Bishop of Rome. Almost after half century of that decision, Pope Innocent III (1198-1216) started using that title to augment his universal power over religious as well as political authorities. However, in 1964, the Second Vatican Council pronounced that all bishops were the ‘vicars’ of Christ because they administrated churches within their jurisdiction as the ambassadors of Jesus. The pope, therefore, is “Vicar of Christ” being a bishop (that is, the Bishop of Rome), and not because he is a pope. His distinctive title is the Vicar of Peter.