the.com/pope
an elected absolute monarch who can't pass the throne to his kids
means the head of the Roman Catholic Church and bishop of Rome, regarded by Catholics as the spiritual successor to Saint Peter.
from From Greek 'pappas,' an affectionate child's word for father — the same coo behind 'papa' worldwide. It passed into Latin as 'papa,' a respectful title once shared by many bishops, before narrowing to the bishop of Rome alone. Old English borrowed it as 'pāpa,' which softened into 'pope.' So the most formal title in Christendom began as baby-talk for daddy.
- job security
- Most popes serve until death, no retirement
- resignation rarity
- Benedict XVI quit in 2013, first in 600 years
- tiny realm
- Rules the world's smallest country, 121 acres
- white smoke
- Chimney signals announce each new election
- name change
- Picks a fresh papal name on election day