In the summer of 254 his position was tested again by a dispute with Stephen, bishop of Rome (254 257).
"With this spirit today we gather around you, successor of Peter, the bishop of Rome, the unfailing rock of the Holy Church of Christ," Cardinal Sodano said.
To sum it up, the Vatican's "chief exorcist" said "Francis is the bishop of Rome and, like all bishops, he is an exorcist".
ON THE eve of his first Easter Sunday celebration as bishop of Rome, Pope Francis sprang another of his teasing little surprises.
He was the Bishop of Rome presenting himself to the people of Rome.
Francis, who is also the bishop of Rome, urged his bishops to be more Christ-like in showing humility, compassion, mercy and wisdom.
Even the unique position of authority of the bishop of Rome is emphasized by Irenaeus, though in an obscure passage.
The imbalance derives in part from history: The pope is pope because he is the bishop of Rome, following St. Peter, the first bishop of Rome, who tradition says was martyred there.
Pope Francis, who currently resides as the Bishop of Rome has centered on the devil in many of his teachings over the past year.
In his homily, Francis quoted Scripture to say that as bishop of Rome, he was endowed with "a certain power".
Here the emphasis seems to be shifting slightly from the Pope's role as Bishop of Rome to his role as Universal Shepherd.
