Concept in Definition ABC

The term pontiff is usually used to designate the highest representative of the Catholic Church, the Pope. However, the word has a previous origin in the time of the Roman Empire and was known especially in the political sphere and in the different magistracies.

Etymology of the term 'pontiff' and analysis

To better understand what a pontiff is, we must analyze the etymology of the word. Pontiff is a term that comes from Latin, a language in which it means "the one who builds bridges" by the union of pons (bridge) and the suffix ifice which means "he who builds".

In ancient Rome, the pontiff was one of the magistrates who had under his command. job certain task to accomplish. As his name says, the pontiff was in charge of the building of bridges (a central element in the urban design of the empire) and their supervision. At present, the notion of pontiff takes that original meaning and metaphorically transforms it to "he who builds bridges between the earthly world and the divine world ", that is, the task carried out by the highest representatives of the Church.

Pontiffs as figures associated with religion

According to historians and specialists in functioning Of religious institutions, it is in the Roman Empire itself when the role of the pontiff changes and moves to aspects related to religion. Thus arises the College of Pontiffs, institution that today no longer exists, and that it had the objective of bringing together the priests and those in charge of the most important religion of the whole territory Roman.

They administered and made decisions that had to do with the functioning of cults and religions. It is from here that the word then begins to approach the meaning that we give it today when we refer to the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church or Pope.

Characteristics of the Supreme Pontiff today

Since the emergence of the Pope or Supreme Pontiff in the Catholic Church after the death of Jesus, the functions and scope of this very important figure have changed enormously.

Although the main activity of the person who occupies that position is manage religion, its importance has varied if we take into account that today the Church has a presence in almost the entire planet and that the issues to be resolved affect many more people.

Mainly, the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church must ensure the welfare of the population, calling for peace, I respect and to tolerance between different peoples, a task for which their work alongside popes of other churches or creeds is essential.

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