papacy

[pey-puh-see]

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

plural

papacies 

1. the office, dignity, or jurisdiction of the pope.

2. the system of ecclesiastical government in which the pope is recognized as the supreme head.

3. the period during which a certain pope is in office.

4. the succession or line of the popes.

papacy

/ ˈpeɪpəsɪ /

noun

1. the office or term of office of a pope

2. the system of government in the Roman Catholic Church that has the pope as its head

papacy

1. The office or position of the pope.

Other Word Forms

• antipapacy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of papacy¹

1350–1400; Middle English papacie < Medieval Latin pāpātia. See pope, -acy

Word History and Origins

Origin of papacy¹

C14: from Medieval Latin pāpātia, from pāpa _pope ¹

Example Sentences

In recent decades, overseas travel has become central to the papacy, allowing popes to connect with Catholics worldwide, spread their message and engage in diplomacy.

From BBC

Pope Leo XIV has appointed the first Chinese bishop of his papacy, signalling that he will continue a historic agreement that sought to improve relations between the Vatican and China.

From BBC

Being a progressively minded sort compared to his peers, the new pope, Leo XIV, inevitably will tackle those same questions as he begins his papacy.

From Salon

Pope John Paul II, who had ascended to the papacy in 1978, toured the world like a beatific rock star, preaching the gospel of this new sobriety in football stadiums across the country.

From Los Angeles Times

The world doesn’t lack coverage of the papacy or the Vatican.

From Salon

Related Words

• pontiff