Roman Pontiff

In Rome, the title of Supreme Pontiff (in Latin, Pontifex Maximus), belongs to the chief religious official of the city.

• Originally, the Supreme Pontiff was the head of the polytheistic state religion of Rome; see Pontifex Maximus;
• Since Christianity became the official religion of Rome, the Supreme Pontiff has been the Christian Bishop of Rome, also called the Pope.

See also

• Pontiff