| Lists of religious leaders by century: |
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This is a list of the top-level leaders for religious groups with at least 50,000 adherents, and that led anytime from January 1, 1501, to December 31, 1600. It should likewise only name leaders listed on other articles and lists.
The title His Holiness is an official title or style referring to leaders in a number of religious traditions. It is used to refer to the Pope in Roman Catholicism; this use can be traced back several hundred years. It is also an official title for Oriental Orthodox patriarchs, and used to refer to religious leaders in Islam, Buddhism, and Bon. Buddhist leaders referred to this way include the Dalai Lama, the Menri Trizin, among others; the Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohras is one example of a Muslim leader styled this way.
Musta'li Isma'ilism is a branch of Isma'ilism named for their acceptance of al-Musta'li as the legitimate ninth Fatimid caliph and legitimate successor to his father, al-Mustansir Billah. In contrast, the Nizari—the other living branch of Ismailism, presently led by Aga Khan IV—believe the ninth caliph was al-Musta'li's elder brother, Nizar.
Pentarchy was a model of Church organization formulated in the laws of Emperor Justinian I of the Roman Empire. In this model, the Christian Church is governed by the heads (patriarchs) of the five major episcopal sees of the Roman Empire: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem.
Da'i al-Mutlaq is the most senior spiritual rank and office in Tayyibi Isma'ilism. The Da'i al-Mutlaq has headed the Tayyibi community since the seclusion of the 21st Tayyibi Imam, at-Tayyib Abu'l-Qasim, traditionally placed in 528 AH/1134 AD.
