Constantine was the FIRST Christian Pontifex Maximus yet he was not considered a pope by Catholics cause they didn’t like him. They also didn’t like any of the pagan Pontifs either. It seems that Darius started the true lineage and before that it was pick and choose. In all actuality the empire had split and there were technically two popes, however the Catholics only recognize the Christian ones. I don’t blame them for this. If you are going to recognize some guy as head of a church you kind of want them on the same team.
Anyway, My beef isn’t about a who is or isn’t pope. Pope is a man made position. My beef is your pope is asking about Christian unity and your brethran make statements that my Christianity isn’t Christian enough.
We are the church, Jesus is head of the church. Unity will only come when we are on the same page. I don’t care that you guys want and need a pope. It doesn’t make you any more Christian than me.
The etymology of the title “Pontifex Maximus” is interesting. In actual usage it meant “most high priest,” but the literal meaning was “great bridge-builder,” which sounds a little Masonic, doesn’t it?
The first to bear the title was Numa Pompilius, second king of Rome.