Definition

Noun: 1. The supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church: The "Catholic Pope" is the Bishop of Rome and the spiritual head of the worldwide Catholic Church. This position is considered the successor to Saint Peter.

Usage

The term "Catholic Pope" is used to specifically refer to the individual holding the highest office in the Roman Catholic Church. It is a formal title. - The Catholic Pope addressed the crowd in St. Peter's Square. - They traveled to Rome to see the Catholic Pope.

Advanced Usage

• The Pope: Often used alone as a shortened, more common form, with "Catholic" being implied in contexts where the Roman Catholic Church is the topic.
  • The Pope issued a new encyclical.

Variants and Related Words

• Pope (n): The most common short form for "Catholic Pope."
• Pontiff (n): A formal term for the pope.
• Holy Father (n): A respectful title used for the pope.
• Bishop of Rome (n): A title emphasizing the pope's diocesan role.

Synonyms

• Pontiff
• Holy Father
• Bishop of Rome
• Vicar of Christ (a traditional theological title)

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Papal: (Adjective) Relating to the pope or the papacy.
  • The papal visit was a major event.

Noun

1. the head of the Roman Catholic Church