Pontifex Maximus

views updated Jun 27 2018

Pontifex Maximus (in ancient Rome) the head of the principal college of priests; (in the Roman Catholic Church) a title of the Pope. The title means literally in Latin ‘supreme high priest’.

Pontifex Maximus

views updated May 11 2018

Pontifex Maximus (Lat., pontifex, ‘bridge-maker’, of uncertain significance). Title of the pope. It was originally the title of the chief pagan priest at Rome. In English it is rendered ‘supreme pontiff’.

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