Pope refers to the Latin title “Pontifex Maxiumus” or great bridge builder, an ancient title of the head of the college of priests of Ancient Rome.
Pontifex Maximus is thus a pagan position, dependent on pagan authority for its precedents, and prerogatives.
Yes, Correct!
When Constantine the Great convoked the famous Council of Nicaea early in the FOURTH CENTURY there was no pope and no papacy. Constantine, who is not listed as a pope in Rome’s papal lineage, himself assumed the leadership of the churches and took the title Pontifex Maximus – highest priest. Inasmuch as the Pontifex Maximus title is one of the many applied to Roman Catholic popes, Sylvester, bishop of Rome at the time, should have had that title if he was the reigning pope. He was not the pope or a pope, and he was not even in attendance at the AD 325 Council of Nicaea
No, the title “Pope” is not derived from “Pontifex Maximus” — the title is also borne by the Patriarchs of Alexandria, both the Coptic Pope of Alexandria and the Greek Orthodox Pope of Alexandria — whose sees never claimed the authority of the Roman office of Pontifex Maximus.
“Pontiff” is derived from “Pontifex Maximus” and is peculiar to the Roman see.