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With the pope being the principal leader of the Catholic Church, it is often asked, "Where is the word 'pope' in the Bible?"
Technically speaking, it is found everywhere in the Bible!
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the word’s origin is “ecclesiastical Latin papa from Greek papas, a variant of pappas, [meaning] father.”
Originally the title was used much more broadly in early Christianity, since at the time it simply meant “father,” and was similar to the way Catholics call priests “Father” in the present day.
This is further confirmed and explained by the Catholic Encyclopedia.
The short answer to the question of whether the word pope is in the Bible is Yes and No.
Yes, the word "father" is in the Bible thousands of times.
No, it did not initially refer to the leader of the Catholic Church.
However, St. Peter was designated to be the "rock" of Jesus' Church, but the official title came later.
The "pope" was in the Bible, but he wasn't called that name initially.
