apostolic delegate

American  

noun

1. a representative of the pope in a country that has no regular diplomatic relations with the Vatican.

---

apostolic delegate British  

noun

1. RC Church a representative of the pope sent to countries that do not have full or regular diplomatic relations with the Holy See

---

Etymology

Origin of apostolic delegate

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Jeffrey C. San Nicolas, apostolic delegate, delivers a homily on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna, Guam.

From US News • Sep. 18, 2016

"Right now we hope any legislation would not damage the social service agencies and the schools that are not a part of these accusations," said Father Jeff San Nicolas, who is Guam's apostolic delegate.

From US News • Sep. 18, 2016

Monsignor Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli had been the pope’s representative, or apostolic delegate, in Turkey since 1934.

From Slate • Sep. 24, 2014

Archbishop Sambi became Vatican ambassador to Israel and apostolic delegate to Jerusalem in 1998.

From New York Times • Jul. 29, 2011

Merry Del Val was in Canada as apostolic delegate; and though care was taken to save the faces of the bishops, their concerted assaults upon the government ceased.

From Laurier: A Study in Canadian Politics by Dafoe, J. W. (John Wesley)