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The Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch of the Catholic Church is the head of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] (Catholic - the Latin Riteof the [[Catholic Church]]). Throughout the world "'''The Pope'''" (as a title, without specification) is universally understood to designate the Patriarch of the West. His Catholic titles include Bishop of Rome, in which position he is considered by Roman Catholics to be the successor of [[Saint Peter|St. Peter]]. The Pope is the chief pastor of the whole Church Catholic, the "Vicar of Christ upon earth." <ref>Until 1870 he also was the secular ruler of an independent country in central Italy, the Papal States. Since 1929 the Pope rules Vatican City, an independent country inside the city of Rome.</ref> ''Summus pontifex'' and ''Pontifex maximus (Supreme Pontiff)'' are titles of dignity<ref>[http://www.liquisearch.com/pontifex_maximus/roman_catholic_use_of_the_title Pontifex Maximus - Roman Catholic Use of The Title (liquisearch.com)]</ref>. In ancient Rome ''pontifex maximus'' was the title of the chief priest of Rome, the Roman Pontiff.