Pontiff

[Oska2]

I wish to understand how the pope assumed the Title of ‘Pontiff’. Who was the first pope to use that title and why was it adopted?

 

[Wandile]

From Wikipedia

The term “pontiff” is derived from the Latin word pontifex, which literally means “bridge builder” (pons + facere) and which designated a member of the principal college of priests in ancient Rome. The Latin word was translated into ancient Greek variously: as ἱεροδιδάσκαλος, ἱερονόμος, ἱεροφύλαξ, ἱεροφάντης, or ἀρχιερεύς (high priest) The head of the college was known as the Pontifex Maximus (the greatest pontiff).

In Christian use, pontifex appears in the Vulgate translation of the New Testament to indicate the Jewish high priest (in the original, ἀρχιερεύς).The term came to be applied to any Christian bishop,but since the 11th century commonly refers specifically to the Bishop of Rome, is more strictly called the “Roman Pontiff”. The use of the term to refer to bishops in general is reflected in the terms “Roman Pontifical” (a book containing rites reserved for bishops, such as confirmation and ordination), and “pontificals” (the insignia of bishops
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope#Pontiff

 

[Oska2]

From Wikipedia

Thanks alot for the link. I have gone further and checked on another link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontifex_Maximus
The Pontifex Maximus (Latin, literally: “greatest pontiff”) was the high priest of the College of Pontiffs (Collegium Pontificum) in ancient Rome. This was the most important position in the ancient Roman religion, open only to patricians until 254 BC, when a plebeian first occupied this post. A distinctly religious office under the early Roman Republic, it gradually became politicized until, beginning with Augustus, it was subsumed into the Imperial office. Its last use with reference to the emperors is in inscriptions of Gratian[1] (reigned 375–383) who, however, then decided to omit the words “pontifex maximus” from his title.[2][3]

In the Roman Republic, the Pontifex Maximus was the highest office in the state religion of ancient Rome and directed the College of Pontiffs.