Who is the Vicar of Christ?
The papal title Vicar of Christ is closely associated with Our Lord’s titles Son of David and King of Israel. It was foretold to David that a descendant of his would reign on his throne forever. This King is Jesus Christ, who reigns in an eternal spiritual Kingdom. Every King has a prime minister, a vizier or vicar, who carries out his will and who speaks in his name. Although the Kingdom of God has no material treasures to guard and dispense, it has spiritual treasures: the faith, the sacraments, the unity of the Church. These were committed to Peter by Our Lord under the symbol of the keys, a treasury and responsibility which is passed to those who follow Peter in his office as Vicar of Christ. What is Papal Primacy? Papal Primacy refers to the supreme, immediate and ordinary authority of the Pope over everyone in the Church. Although the doctrine was only defined by the First Vatican Council in 1870, this primacy of jurisdiction has been exercised by St. Peter and the Bishops of Rom
