called the [[Pope]]). The Church traces the papal authority as the leader of Christianity to the first Bishop of Rome, the apostle [[Peter]]. Unlike many [[Protestant]] churches, the Roman Catholic Church does not follow the doctrine of ''sola scriptura'' or | called the [[Pope]]). The Church traces the papal authority as the leader of Christianity to the first Bishop of Rome, the apostle [[Peter]]. Unlike many [[Protestant]] churches, the Roman Catholic Church does not follow the doctrine of ''sola scriptura'' or |