papal

[ pey-puhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the pope or the papacy:

   a papal visit to Canada.

2. of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church.

papal

/ ˈpeɪpəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the pope or the papacy

Derived Forms

• ˈpapally, adverb

Other Words From

• papal·ly adverb
• anti·papal adjective
• non·papal adjective
• pseudo·papal adjective
• un·papal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of papal¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Medieval Latin word pāpālis. See pope, -al ¹

Example Sentences

Indigenous communities have long called for a papal apology taking accountability for the church’s involvement.

From Time

This time, the meeting is strictly under wraps, with the Vatican issuing its own edited version of the greeting in the Vatican’s Throne Room and private discussion in the papal library.

From The Daily Beast

The American side was vivid in detail, outlining jokes and banter and confirming that the president said “God love ya” to the pope—who presumably already knows that—as they strolled the hallowed halls of the papal palace.

From The Daily Beast

A Vatican Media photo of the meeting, which took place in the papal library, showed that neither Francis nor the visitors were wearing masks.

From Washington Post

Congress is now 92 percent Christian, resembling more to a papal enclave than our religiously diverse nation.

From The Daily Beast

But the current pontiff, for reasons one might fully understand, declined to meet the would-be papal assassin.

From The Daily Beast

He held intrigue for journalists converging for the transition of papal power.

From The Daily Beast

These women interred the bodies of saints on their own properties and occasionally managed to influence papal politics.

From The Daily Beast

The papal view of lawmaking on Capitol Hill is unknown, but Congress you have been warned.

From The Daily Beast

Thereafter he commanded the advance guard of Victor's army which invaded the Papal States.

From Project Gutenberg

They then became as staunch in the principles of the Reformation as they had previously been firm in papal policy.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a quite common error to suppose these persecutions to have emanated from the papal power exclusively.

From Project Gutenberg

A large recess in the wall next to the Papal Crypt is thought to have held her sarcophagus.

From Project Gutenberg

The last act brings us to the great hall of the papal palace at Avignon, where the Pope is to pronounce judgment upon the Queen.

From Project Gutenberg