Papa as ‘bishop of Rome’
John Moorhead
Medieval historians confronted with the Latin word papa may be tempted to translate it unthinkingly as ‘pope’. Certainly has been restricted bishop of Rome for much history Church, and its application this is long standing. It occurs in an inscription from pre-Constantinian Rome, a letter despatched by fathers Council Aries 314, which addressed ‘dilectissimo papae Silvestro’ goes on style Silvester ‘gloribsissime papa’, acts first Toledo met 400, where language used implies that he alone, was . But early Church generally seems have felt could applied other bishops well. A striking indication furnished sent Cyprian Carthage priests deacons Roman itself, refers him Sidonius Apollinaris, who became Clermont 469, free address his confrères among Gallic episcopate same title, apparently indiscriminately, himself so addressed.
The Journal of Ecclesiastical History