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

See Examples For:

apostolic delegate

"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

The apostolic delegate is also known to have expressed strong opinions about episcopal candidates, who are proposed to Rome by the hierarchy for the Pope's approval.

From Time Magazine Archive

He soon gave evidence of marked ability, and was taken into the papal service and sent as apostolic delegate to Benevento.

From A Short History of Italy (476-1900) by Sedgwick, Henry Dwight