pontifex maximus

The new pontifex maximus has much work ahead of him to wrangle the faithful into unity.

Mr. Muzás noted one of Francis’ titles is “Pontifex Maximus,” which he said is Latin for “greatest bridge-builder.”

In Rome, the pontifex maximus — an office held by Caesar — was the head of Roman state religion.

Along with his senatorial purple-lined toga, his centurion badge and his augur’s knife, he had adopted a new honour: a white cloth mantle over his head, which marked him as Pontifex Maximus, high priest to the gods.

No demigod in living memory had taken the title Pontifex Maximus.