The pope exercises leadership over the bishops.  This can be seen in the Acts of the Apostles. To resolve the question concerning the terms on which Gentiles were to be admitted into the Church, the Church of Antioch sent Paul, Barnabas, and some others to confer, not with Peter alone, but with all the apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem.  Although Peter spoke at the council which followed, the plan of action finally adopted was not proposed by him but by James, and the decision was made, not by Peter alone, but by the whole assembly (Acts 15.7‑11, 13‑20, 28f).  These observations in no way detract from Peter's authority, but show how from the beginning it was exercised in a collegial manner.

In a world filled with relativism, where truth is thought of as nothing more than personal opinion, the teaching of infallibility may seem peculiar.  It is a blessing to know that truth is unchangeable and that we have a magisterium that courageously teaches the truth.  In conforming to this truth, each of us finds genuine freedom in living the life God has called us to live. St. Paul captured this notion well in his first letter to St. Timothy: "I am writing you about these matters so that...you will know what kind of conduct befits a member of God's household, the Church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of truth" (3:14-15).