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)

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Vatican

Crowds chanted "Ole, ole, ole, Leon, Leon", waved yellow-and-white Vatican flags, and packed a kilometres-long stretch of Avenida del Libertador while giant screens relayed images of the pope's journey through the city.

From Barron's ● Nov. 9, 2026

While the Vatican normally covers the pope’s travel, the host country’s government and local Catholic Church are often expected to foot other bills, such as security and costs associated with staging events.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

Leo's trip is seen as a double homecoming of sorts, US-based Vatican expert Christopher White told AFP.

From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026

The meeting between the pair, who both hail from the US Midwest, was brief, according to Vatican News.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

With special dispensation from the Vatican, she took her vows and entered a convent in Madras as a trainee novice.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

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