The Holy See, also called the See of Rome, the Petrine See or the Apostolic See, is the central governing body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City. It encompasses the office of the pope as the bis
The papal throne (cathedra), in the apse of Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, symbolises the Holy See.
The Swiss Guard on patrol
Saint Peter's Basilica facade, Rome, Italy
The pope is the bishop of Rome and the head of the worldwide Catholic Church. He is also known as the supreme pontiff, Roman pontiff, or sovereign pontiff. From the 8th century until 1870, the pope wa
Holy See
…of Rome, the Petrine See or the Apostolic See, is the central governing body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City. It encompasses the office of the pope as the bishop of the apostolic episcopal see of Rome, and serves as the spiritual and administrative authority of the worldwide Catholic Church and…
Gregory the Great (c. 540–604), in a painting by Carlo Saraceni, c. 1610, Rome
As part of the Catholic Reformation, Pope Paul III (1534–1549) initiated the Council of Trent (1545–1563), which established the triumph of the papacy over those who sought to reconcile with Protestants or oppose papal claims.
A fresco of Eliakim in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City
The Delivery of the Keys, by Pietro Perugino, 1481