[hnewsshadowbans]

The Bishop of Rome was considered the preeminent by all the other major sees. Its just whether he was first among equals or outright leader that was the controversy. So the RCC has a bit of a claim as the parent..

[alpha_squared]

Any material you can recommend I can read more on that? As I understand it, the writings of Irenaeus get cited here to make that point except they're often taken out of context.

[jackcosgrove]

Rome was the center of the Mediterranean world during the early church, the only city with a million people.

That's the only reason the Roman diocese became dominant. Not any sort of lineage or pedigree.