<P> Catholics recognize the pope as the successor to Saint Peter , whom Jesus designated as the `` rock '' upon which the Church was to be built . Although Peter never bore the title of `` pope '' ( pappas ) , Catholics recognize him as the first bishop of Rome . Official declarations of the Church speak of the popes as holding within the college of the bishops a position analogous to that held by Peter within the `` college '' of the Apostles , namely Prince of the Apostles , of which the college of the Bishops , a distinct entity , is viewed by some to be the successor . </P>
<P> Catholics recognize the pope as the successor to Saint Peter , whom Jesus designated as the `` rock '' upon which the Church was to be built . Although Peter never bore the title of `` pope '' ( pappas ) , Catholics recognize him as the first bishop of Rome . Official declarations of the Church speak of the popes as holding within the college of the bishops a position analogous to that held by Peter within the `` college '' of the Apostles , namely Prince of the Apostles , of which the college of the Bishops , a distinct entity , is viewed by some to be the successor . </P>
where did the idea of a pope come from
where did the idea of a pope come from
Saint Peter , whom Jesus designated as the `` rock '' upon which the Church was to be built
Saint Peter , whom Jesus designated as the `` rock '' upon which the Church was to be built