"Pontifical" denotes an Institution which is at the service of the Holy Father and the College of Bishops. In light of his ministry of supreme Pastor of the Church, and in communion with all the Bishops of the world, the Holy Father has a global vision of the needs of each local church more than anybody else. 

It is his duty to call the other Pastors to to their universal missionary responsibility and invite them to participate in a common effort, among themselves and together with him, for the evangelization of the world. The Holy Father exercises his authority over the Pontifical Mission Societies through the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.