Though some may disagree, it appears the Greek word 'papa' was first used as a title for the leader of the RC Church in the late 4th Century - Pope Siricius (398 A.D.).
There doesn't seem to be any Roman Popes prior to the 4th Century, and no Roman Bishops prior to the 2nd Century as some have stated.
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Catholic Answer"Pope" as been a title used for the Holy Father, the supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church since the 11th century, officially. The first known example of this use is in the writings of St. Ennodius who died in 521 A.D.
AnswerNo one is 100% sure when the word pope was first used. It is derived from the Latin word for Papa or maybe the Greek word pápas. The term was often applied to bishops and other members of the clergy until it gradually came to mean the head of the church only.
Pope Siricius the 1st was the first to employ the title "Pope" He was the 38th Pope.
Yes you are quite right has stated above. In the same passage he had the title "Pontifex Maximus"
