Vatican

American  

[vat-i-kuhn] / ˈvæt ɪ kən /

noun

1. Also called Vatican Palace.  the chief residence of the popes in Vatican City, now also including a library, archives, art museum, apartments, and administrative offices.

2. the authority and government of the pope (distinguished from theQuirinal ).

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Vatican British  

/ ˈvætɪkən /

noun

1. 1. the palace of the popes in Rome and their principal residence there since 1377, which includes administrative offices, a library, museum, etc, and is attached to the basilica of St Peter's

   2. ( as modifier )

      the Vatican Council

2. 1. the authority of the Pope and the papal curia

   2. ( as modifier )

      a Vatican edict

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Etymology

Origin of Vatican

1545–55; < Latin vātīcānus ( mōns ) Vatican (hill)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Vatican

A thorough rethinking of Vatican ecumenical strategy toward the Christian East is essential.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

If seeing attractions like the Vatican in Rome is a non-negotiable, Armenise suggests booking in advance to avoid waiting in line in scorching temperatures.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

Some Catholic families turned to homeschooling after Vatican II, the 1960s council responsible for modernizing the Catholic Church, led to concerns that even local parochial schools were losing their conservative moral values.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

While the centre operates without strict Vatican oversight, it follows long-standing Church rules governing exorcism, including mandatory vetting by mental health professionals.

From Barron's ● Jul. 19, 2026

Surratt then went to England under an assumed name and later continued on to the Vatican, where he served in the Papal Zouaves, the pope’s infantry unit.

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly

Related Words

• pontiff