Q 01/05

The pope is, by definition, the bishop of which city?

A) Rome

B) Jerusalem

C) Constantinople

D) Avignon

Answer · why

A) Rome

The word 'pope' comes from the Greek for 'father' and was once used for many bishops before being reserved for Rome's.

Q 02/05

Catholic tradition holds the papacy descends from which apostle, given the Keys of Heaven?

A) Paul

B) Peter

C) John

D) Andrew

Answer · why

B) Peter

By tradition he headed the church for 35 years, still the longest reign of any pope; he was martyred in Rome under Nero.

Q 03/05

The word 'pope' derives from the Ancient Greek word for what?

A) shepherd

B) bridge-builder

C) father

D) elder

Answer · why

C) father

'Pontiff', by contrast, comes from the Latin for bridge-builder; the title was reserved for Rome's bishop from Leo I's time.

Q 04/05

Which 1929 Italy-Holy See agreement established Vatican City as an independent state?

A) the Treaty of Rome

B) the Concordat of Worms

C) the Treaty of Tolentino

D) the Lateran Treaty

Answer · why

D) the Lateran Treaty

It was signed between Fascist Italy and the Holy See, 59 years after Italy annexed the Papal States.

Q 05/05

The pope's sovereignty over the Papal States ended in which year, when Italy annexed them?

A) 1870

B) 1878

C) 1889

D) 1929

Answer · why

A) 1870

Pius IX refused to leave the Vatican afterwards, calling himself a 'prisoner in the Vatican'.