The Bishops of Rome, also known as Pontiffs (8 letters) and POPES (5 letters), are the leaders of the Catholic Church. They are the successors of Saint Peter, who was appointed by Jesus Christ to be the first Bishop of Rome. The Bishops of Rome have been the spiritual and temporal leaders of the Catholic Church since the 1st century AD. They are responsible for the governance of the Church, the promulgation of its teachings, and the administration of its sacraments.