'pope' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'papa', ultimately from Greek 'pappas', where 'pappas' meant 'father'.

'pope' changed from Late Latin 'papa' and Old English 'papa' into Middle English forms (such as 'pape'/'pope') and eventually became the modern English word 'pope'.

Initially it meant 'father' and functioned as an honorific for priests and bishops; over time the sense narrowed to refer especially to the Bishop of Rome (and, by extension, to certain other church leaders) and later acquired informal figurative uses.