The Church consists of those Christians who are in full communion with the Bishop of [[Rome]], who is generally called the [[Pope]]. The Church teaches that the Pope is the successor of [[St. Peter]], whom Catholics regard as the original leader of Christ's apostles and as the first Bishop of Rome. | The Church consists of those Christians who are in full communion with the Bishop of [[Rome]], who is generally called the [[Pope]]. The Church teaches that the Pope is the successor of [[St. Peter]], whom Catholics regard as the original leader of Christ's apostles and as the first Bishop of Rome. |