What does the Bible say about the Pope?

What is the purpose of the Pope and what are some of the criticisms regarding the papacy?
There is the Catholic and the Protestant perspective of the Pope. However, what does the Bible say about the Pope?

Catholic View of the Pope
According to Catholics the Pope is the successor of Saint Peter whom Catholics believe was the first Pope.
Peter was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus and Catholics base their belief that Peter was the first Pope because of Christ’s statements to Peter in Matthew 16:18-19.
Catholics interpret Matthew 16:18-19 as a foundational passage for the existence of the papacy. Catholics interpret this Scripture as Peter being established by Christ as the first leader or Pope of the Church and therefore every Pope is the successor of Peter.

Catholics also believe in the infallibility of the Pope. Catholics believe that when the Pope speaks “ex cathedra”, meaning when he speaks in his official authority as the leader of the Catholic Church, then the Pope cannot commit any spiritual or doctrinal error.

Catholics also recognize the Pope’s authority above the teaching of the Scriptures to guide the Catholic Church and make decisions on matters of doctrine and morals.

Protestant View of the Pope
Protestants reject the papal authority of the Pope. Instead Protestants regard the Bible as having inerrant authority in all moral and spiritual matters.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

In Acts 17:10-11 the Bereans were commended for examining the Scriptures to test and see if what Paul preached was true.

Therefore the Bible is believed to be the authoritative word of God which must be obeyed above the teachings or doctrines of men or any institution.
It is only God and His word which are regarded as infallible. The Bible says that all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23) and therefore spiritually and morally we have all missed the mark of God’s standard of holiness. Sin makes us spiritually and morally insufficient despite the religious titles we may have.
Whether pope or not – all humanity needs the true Saviour – Jesus Christ to save us from the consequences of our sin.

Protestants emphasize the authority of Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church. The following Scriptures below establish Jesus Christ as the Leader of the Church and not any human

Ephesians 1:22-23 says: And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.

Colossians 1:18 reads: And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.

1 Timothy 2:5 says: For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Therefore Jesus Christ is the true supreme leader over the Church. It is Christ alone whose authority cannot be questioned and He is the only Mediator between humanity and God. He alone is the way to salvation and relationship with God.