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

A short video released by the Vatican upon the death of Pope Francis showed his intimate relationship with Gaza's tiny Christian community, many of whom he came to know by name.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

Meanwhile, the Catholic church, launching reforms that culminated in Vatican II, officially recognized that political institutions could be independent from church structures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

"This is our God: Jesus, king of peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war," he told tens of thousands of worshippers gathered in Vatican City.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Since then, modern presidents have occasionally found themselves at odds with the Vatican.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Behind the gate, safely within the seat of the Vatican, they let Pedro Tercero out from under a mountain of lettuce leaves and bruised tomatoes.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

Related Words

• pontiff