Why do we call the Pope "Holy" Father? Why Holy?

[andre]

Hi I would like to know why we call the Pope Holy Father.

I understand Father, but why “Holy”?

This question was asked by a non-Catholic, I could explaine Father, but I didn’t know how to explain why we call the Pope “Holy” Father.

Please help!

Andrew

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear Andrew,

We call the pope “Holy Father” not as an acknowledgement of his personal state of soul, but as an expression of respect for his office as the successor to St. Peter as head of the Church on earth.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.