Holy See

American  

noun

1. Roman Catholic Church. the see of Rome; the office or jurisdiction of the pope.

2. the papal court.

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Holy See British  

noun

1. the see of the pope as bishop of Rome and head of the Church

2. the Roman curia

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Holy See Cultural  

1. In the Roman Catholic Church, the official name for the jurisdiction of the pope (the word see is from the Latin for “seat”).

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Etymology

Origin of Holy See

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

Whether successful or not, strong words from the holy see would help to dispel the impressiont that the entire Christian West was lining up to impose its will on the lands where Islam prevailed.

From Economist • Jul. 9, 2018

Some Americans have proposed that Demetrios move the holy see to one of three sites in Greece already under his jurisdiction: Rhodes, Crete or the spectacular monastery complex atop Mount Athos.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is the holy see of the Nuwaubians.

From Time Magazine Archive

Pelagius II. sent him to Constantinople in quality of Apocrisiarius, or Nuncio of the holy see, to the religious emperor Tiberius, by whom the saint was received and treated with the highest distinction.

From The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Principal Saints January, February, March by Butler, Alban

It was in consequence of the unanimous petition, presented from all parts to the holy see, in behalf of a declaration that the doctrine was apostolic, that it was declared so to be.

From Apologia pro Vita Sua by Newman, John Henry