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The Title of “Pope”
The word “pope” comes from the Greek "pappas" meaning “father” and is a scriptural custom started by the apostle Paul: “Even if you have countless guides in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers, for I became your father in Christ through the gospel” (1 Cor 4:14-15). Stephen addressed the Jewish leaders as “my fathers” in Acts 6:12-15, 7:1-2. In 1 Jn 1:12, the apostle John addresses his “dear children”, obviously alluding to himself as “father”, while in verse 13 he states: “I write to you, fathers”.
The Bishop of Rome (the Pope) has several official titles among which are “Supreme Pastor of the Universal Church” and “Servant of the Servants of God”.
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