The doctrine of papal infallibility, a concept of recent definition, has its roots in early church history, with the Bishop of Rome playing a prominent role in the development of the Christian Church. The notion of a monarchical episcopacy, or a reigning primate, has its roots in early developments in church history, with the Church at Rome being prominent since the first century. The increasing significance of the Roman See is evident in the history of the Church, with the Bishop of Rome giving pastoral admonition to the church at Corinth and the development of the Roman Church moving in the direction of a monarchial episcopate.
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