Saint Apollinaris: "Shepherd your people with your staff"

Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin

-- Mi 7:14-15, 18-20

Certain particularly grave sins incur excommunication, the most severe ecclesiastical penalty, which impedes the reception of the sacraments and the exercise of certain ecclesiastical acts, and for which absolution consequently cannot be granted, according to canon law, except by the Pope, the bishop of the place or priests authorized by them. In danger of death any priest, even if deprived of faculties for hearing confessions, can absolve from every sin and excommunication.

-- CCC 1463