👉 In the context of Christian theology, "autocephalous" is a term used to describe the authority and independence of the Church of Rome. The term was originally used by Pope Leo XIII in his encyclical "On the Church in the Modern World," where he stated that the Church's jurisdiction over all parts of the world extends beyond its borders due to the Church's autonomy and independence. The term is often associated with the idea that the Church of Rome has a unique authority, not only within
