This article is based on Christus Dominus 16, that considers the diocesan bishop «pater et pastor» in the exercise of his ministry. Moreover, basing itself on certain canons of Art. 2, Chapter II, Sect. II, Part II, Book II CIC 1983 and also some of the connected canons in the Code, the article shows how the paternal and pastoral character of the government of the diocesan bishop emerges in those aspects in which his personal relationship with the members who form the portion of the people of God who are entrusted to him is involved. Such groups include: all the faithful, without any distinction of age, condition or nationality, but also unique categories, i.e. those who need special pastoral care (workers, sick, migrants, refugees, etc.); priests, in the various needs and conditions in which they may find themselves, especially if in a particular difficulty or crisis; institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life, especially when they arise from the diocese and are of diocesan right, as well as other individual types of consecrated life or new forms of the same; the various groupings of associative life, especially ecclesial movements; the coordination and support of other various forms and works within the apostolate; the active and personal residence of the bishop in the diocese; the pastoral visit of the diocese.