For though they were first invested in the right of being Supreme Teachers of Christian Doctrine, by, and under Christian Emperors, within the limits of the Romane Empire (as is acknowledged by themselves) by the title of Pontifex Maximus, who was an Officer subject to the Civill State; yet after the Empire was divided, and dissolved, it was not hard to obtrude upon the people already subject to them, another Title, namely, the Right of St. Peter;
Izan ere, Aita Santuak hasiera batean kristau enperadoreengandiko agintez izan ziren inbestituak, haien pean, erromatar inperioaren muga barruan (berek aitortu zuten moduan) kristau-doktrinaren maisu gorenak izateko eskubidearekin, Pontifex Maximus titulua hartuz, funtzionari hau Estatu zibilaren menpekoa zelarik. Hala ere, inperioa banandu eta ezabatu zenean, ez zitzaien zail gertatu jada beren meneko zen herriari beste titulu baten, hots, San Pedroren eskubidearen jabe ere bazirela onartaraztea.