few years after the legendary founding of Rome Romulus and Remus (753 BC), when the monarchs of the young city still occupied in religious rituals, the second king of Rome, Numa Pompilius, felt that his successors would have to deal with war and the government of a become increasingly complex, so that would not be able to think of the liturgy.
With that idea, Numa decided to give the care of an official religious ceremonies or priest who play that role exclusively religious.
After much soul searching, conferred the dignity of priests, who were the caretakers of the bridge over the Tiber River, a task at that time was of enormous political and military importance, as well as religious.
The word pontifex pontis merge 'bridge' and facere 'make', alluding to their business: caring for the bridge.
Some centuries later, Julius Caesar decided to assume the dignity of Pontifex Maximus 'high priest', the largest of the pontiffs, to indicate its position as a leader not only civil and military, but also religious.
From Augusto, this title was linked to that of Emperor for several centuries until the arrival to power of Constantine (306 AD), who adopted Christianity as official religion of the Empire.
True to tradition consagrada por sus predecesores, Constantino siguió usando durante algún tiempo el título de sumo pontífice, ahora como representante de Cristo.
Pero los obispos de Roma no demoraron en reivindicar para sí la condición de únicos representantes de Cristo en la Tierra y acabaron por incorporar el título de Pontifex Maximus, que los papas ostentan hasta hoy.
(La Palabra del Día)
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