What is pontífice?

Pontífice

A pontífice is a high-ranking priest in some religions. The term is most often associated with the Catholic Church, where it refers to the Pope, who is the Bishop of Rome and the supreme leader of the Church. Historically, the term pontifex was used in ancient Rome to designate members of the Collegium Pontificum, a body of priests responsible for advising magistrates on religious law and maintaining the calendar. The origin of the word pontifex is uncertain, but popular etymology suggests it derives from pons facere ("to make a bridge"), potentially alluding to the pontiff's role as a mediator between the gods and humans, or more literally, as responsible for important bridge construction and maintenance. In modern usage, "pontiff" is essentially synonymous with Pope and is often used in formal or ceremonial contexts.