Changes

===Early history to 350===

===Early history to 350===

Catholics recognize the pope as the successor to [[Saint Peter]], whom [[Jesus of Nazareth|Jesus]] designated as the "rock" upon which the Church was to be built.<ref>The Hierarchical Constitution of the Church, §881</ref><ref name=Kirsch>Kirsch, Johann Peter. [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11744a.htm "St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles."] The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 11. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 21 Jul. 2014</ref> Although Peter never bore the title of "pope" (Latin papa), Catholics recognize him as the first pope and Bishop of Rome, because he had the office, but not the title. Official declarations of the Church speak of the popes as holding within the college of the bishops a position analogous to that held by Peter within the college of the [[Twelve Apostles]], namely Prince of the Apostles, of which the college of the Bishops, a distinct entity, is the successor.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html | title = Second Vatican Council | contribution = Lumen Gentium | page = 22.}}</ref><ref> [http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_06081993_veritatis-splendor.html ''Veritatis Splendor'' 3, John Paul II, October 6, 1992.</ref><ref>{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=j8-GHiYUSX8C&printsec=frontcover&dq=Dulles+catholicity#v=onepage&q=episcopal%20college&f=false | author = Avery Dulles | title = The Catholicity of the Church | publisher = Oxford University Press | year = 1987 | isbn = 0-19-826695-2 | page = 140.}}</ref>

Catholics recognize the pope as the successor to [[Saint Peter]], whom [[Jesus of Nazareth|Jesus]] designated as the "rock" upon which the Church was to be built.<ref>The Hierarchical Constitution of the Church, §881</ref><ref name=Kirsch>Kirsch, Johann Peter. [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11744a.htm "St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles."] The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 11. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 21 Jul. 2014</ref> Although Peter never bore the title of "pope" (Latin papa), Catholics recognize him as the first pope and Bishop of Rome, because he had the office, but not the title. Official declarations of the Church speak of the popes as holding within the college of the bishops a position analogous to that held by Peter within the college of the [[Twelve Apostles]], namely Prince of the Apostles, of which the college of the Bishops, a distinct entity, is the successor.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html | title = Second Vatican Council | contribution = Lumen Gentium | page = 22.}}</ref><ref> [http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_06081993_veritatis-splendor.html ''Veritatis Splendor'' 3, John Paul II, October 6, 1992.]</ref><ref>{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=j8-GHiYUSX8C&printsec=frontcover&dq=Dulles+catholicity#v=onepage&q=episcopal%20college&f=false | author = Avery Dulles | title = The Catholicity of the Church | publisher = Oxford University Press | year = 1987 | isbn = 0-19-826695-2 | page = 140.}}</ref>

Many popes in the first three centuries of the Christian era are obscure figures. Several suffered [[martyr]]dom along with members of their flock in periods of persecution. Most of them engaged in intense theological arguments with other bishops.

Many popes in the first three centuries of the Christian era are obscure figures. Several suffered [[martyr]]dom along with members of their flock in periods of persecution. Most of them engaged in intense theological arguments with other bishops.