Three Duties

Today’s mini-catechism: when Christ appointed St. Peter the first Pope, He endowed the Prince of the Apostles with His own authority to teach, to govern, and to sanctify the faithful; this authority has passed down from Pope to Pope even until our day. Three honorifics assigned the Holy Father indicate this three-fold authority: a Doctor teaches, a Pastor governs, and a Pontiff sanctifies. The customary three-layered Papal Tiara also recalls this unique and unparalleled privilege associated with the Vicar of Christ, whose primary office is to honor God by confirming the brethren in the traditional and eternal Faith.