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You're correct, as far as it goes. However, the fact that Constantine DID inherit the title of Pontifex Maximus DID make him head of the Roman state religion at the time. And the Roman state religion in 325 was Christianity.

>>> Constantine was NEVER pope of the Catholic Church. <<<

Yah. He was never the Archbishop of Constantinople, either. So what? That's not what I'm arguing, and you should know that by now. Constantine the Great WAS pontifex maximus at the time that Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Which is not the same thing as saying he was a "papa." Once again, P.F. was a title not adopted by the Bishop of Rome (pope, papa, papas, etc.) until much later.

What you meant to say was that Sylvester I was the Bishop of Rome in 325, and that one of the titles used at the time to designate A leader of A Christian community was "papa" or "pope." So, of course Constantine the Great wouldn't be in a list of the bishops of Rome...but then, we're discussing the history and use of the title "P.F.", not the bishops of Rome and not the title "papa."

>>> No, what I meant to say is that His Holiness Sylvester I was pope of the Catholic Church in 325. If I want your opinion of what you think I mean to say I will ask you for it. <<<

Don't worry, wagglebee. I give my arguments freely, without waiting for the prior approval of you or anyone else. Just thought I would re-phrase your point in more historically accurate language.

Pontifex Maximus wasn't adopted as a title by the Bishop of Rome until AFTER Gratian abandoned it in the fourth century. "Pontifex" and its variations weren't used to refer to the Bishop of Rome (and other bishops, by the way) until the sixth century.

>>> The papacy proceeded the title and Saint Peter's journey to Rome. <<<

Which title? Your vagueness is confusing.

Poe White Trash: Pontifex Maximus wasn't adopted as a title...

wagglebee: The papacy proceeded the title...

Poe White Trash: Which title?

LOL

Yah. He was never the Archbishop of Constantinople, either. So what? That's not what I'm arguing, and you should know that by now. Constantine the Great WAS pontifex maximus at the time that Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

No, Constantine retained the title of pontificus maximus of Roman PAGANISM.

Are you a member of one of these sects that believes that Easter and the Trinity are pagan traditions?

Don't worry, wagglebee. I give my arguments freely, without waiting for the prior approval of you or anyone else. Just thought I would re-phrase your point in more historically accurate language.

Which you have yet to accomplish.

Which title? Your vagueness is confusing.

Pope of the Catholic Church.