Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to the Pope or the papacy: Describing anything that originates from, is authorized by, or is connected to the Pope, the Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church.
   • Characteristic of the office or authority of the papacy: Pertaining to the system, doctrines, or governance associated with the Pope and the Holy See.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The papal conclave gathered to elect a new Pope. (The assembly of cardinals relating to the Pope gathered to elect a new Pope.)
  • She received a papal blessing during the audience. (She received a blessing connected to the Pope during the audience.)
  • The decree had papal authority. (The decree had authority proceeding from the Pope.)

Advanced Usage

• "Papal infallibility": A doctrine stating that the Pope is preserved from error when defining a doctrine on faith or morals.
  • The dogma of papal infallibility was formally defined in 1870.
• "Papal bull": A formal papal decree or charter issued by the Pope.
  • The papal bull established the new diocese.
• "Papal nuncio": A diplomatic representative of the Pope to a foreign government or international organization.
  • The papal nuncio presented his credentials to the president.

Variants and Related Words

• Papacy (n): The office, jurisdiction, or tenure of the Pope.
  • His papacy was marked by significant reforms.
• Papist (n, adj, ): A Roman Catholic, especially one considered overly loyal to the papacy.
  • The term "papist" was used polemically during the Reformation.
• Popery (n, ): The doctrines, practices, and ceremonies associated with the Pope or the Roman Catholic Church.
  • The pamphlet was a fierce attack on popery.

Synonyms

• Pontifical: Relating to the Pope (often used in a similar formal or ceremonial context).
• Apostolic: Relating to the Pope as the successor of the Apostles.

Related Phrases

• "Of papal origin": Having its source in the papacy.
  • The document was of papal origin.
• "Under papal seal": Authorized or authenticated by the official seal of the Pope.
  • The letter was sent under papal seal.

Adjective

1. proceeding from or ordered by or subject to a pope or the papacy regarded as the successor of the Apostles
   • papal dispensation