 In the 15th century, when the Renaissance stirred up new interest in ancient Rome, "Pontifex Maximus" became a regular title of honour for Popes.While the title "Pontifex Maximus" has for some centuries been used in inscriptions referring to the Popes, it has never been included in the official list of papal titles published in the Annuario Pontificio.The title of "Pontifex Maximus" thus has a very ancient history, dating back to the times of the Roman Republic, but it does not predate the word "pope" itself (in Greek, "πάππας"), which is found already in the time of Homer as a name used by a child for addressing a father.