What role did the pope take during Roman Christian times?

Answer 1

A:

In early Christian centuries, the pope was simply the bishop of Rome. In fact the term 'pope' was not even used until the second century and may have been a term of respect applied, at first, to all bishops. Constantine became 'pontifex maximus' for the Church in the fourth century, and it was accepted that the emperor made important decisions for the Church as a whole. It was not until later centuries, after the fall of the Roman Empire, that the pope became accepted in the west as pontiff.

Answer 2

In the Roman Catholic Church the popes role was to decide what the church would teach.