Roots?

The word catholic means essentially universal or all-encompassing and the etymology is from Greek katholikos “universal, general”.

The term pontifex maximus - which the Catholic pope uses, comes from the Roman king Numa Pompilius (he was actually a Sabine), circa 715 BC. He also founded, among Romans, the cults of Jupiter, Mars, and Quirinus. The etymology is Latin meaning “great bridge maker”.

From the Britannica Concise Encyclopedia - pontifex - Member of a council of priests in ancient Rome. The pontifices were responsible for administration of the jus divinum (laws concerning religious practices). There were 3 pontifices under the monarchy, but by the time of Julius Caesar the number had grown to 16, of which 1 was designated chief priest, or pontifex maximus. Also included in the collegium (college) of pontifices were the Vestal Virgins. Among the duties of the pontifices were regulation of the calendar and of expiatory rituals, consecration of temples and sacred objects, superintendence of marriage and the family, and administration of the laws of adoption and succession.

Comment: There is a reason why it is called the Roman Catholic Church and not the Roman Christian Church or the Christian Catholic Church. The job of the Roman Catholic Church Pontifex Maximus, the great bridge maker, was to “bridge” the differences between all the roman religions and come up with one “catholic” state religion. They did and it is primarily an amalgamation of the previous roman pagan religions and the teachings of Paul with a small percentage of “Christianity” twisted by anti-Semitism. It is not based on YHWH or the teachings of Christ.