Ø Romanists claim an unbroken line of succession from the alleged first pope, Peter. But their list of popes has been revised many times, with a considerable number who formerly were listed as popes now listed as anti-popes. There is almost no historical information available for the first twenty so-called popes.
Ø For a period of six centuries after the time of Christ none of the regional churches attempted to exercise authority over any of the other regional churches. The early ecumenical councils were composed of delegates from various churches who met as equals.
Ø The papacy really began in 590 with Gregory I who consolidated the power of the bishopric of Rome and started the church on a new course