Papst
In short
The Pope is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the head of state of Vatican City.
In plain words
He is the most important person in the Catholic religion. He lives in a small country called Vatican City inside Rome. He gives guidance to millions of followers around the world.
A simple example
When a new Pope is chosen, he often picks a new name to symbolise his mission, such as Francis.
Why it matters
His decisions affect the lives and beliefs of over a billion people. He also plays a major role in global politics and peace talks.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse the Pope with a Patriarch, who leads Eastern Orthodox churches.