Final answer:
Jesus is said to have bestowed upon Peter, the head of the Apostles, the keys to heaven, establishing Peter's unique authority in the Church. This authority was interpreted to be passed down to the bishops of Rome, leading to the doctrinal leadership of the pope, which evolved over time as the Roman papacy sought to assert authority over the Western church.
Step-by-step explanation:
The specific authority that Jesus gave Peter, as the head of the Apostles, is rooted in the concept known as the Petrine Succession. According to Christian tradition, Jesus granted Peter the symbolic keys to heaven, signifying a special role for him in the early Church. This authority was understood to be passed on to the archbishop of Rome, Peter's successor, thereby establishing the foundation for the Roman papacy and the doctrinal leadership of the pope over the Christian church.
The development of the pope's role as the leader of the church was influenced by the symbolic power of Rome and the creation of mutually beneficial relationships with secular rulers. Over time, the bishops of Rome sought to assert their authority over the entire church hierarchy in the West, with varying levels of acceptance across different regions and eras.