Vicar of Christ

American  

[vik-er uhv krahyst] / ˈvɪk ər əv ˈkraɪst /

Also Vicar of Jesus Christ

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

1. the pope, with reference to his claim to stand in the place of Jesus Christ and possess His authority in the church.

---

Vicar of Christ British  

noun

1. RC Church the Pope when regarded as Christ's earthly representative

---

Etymology

Origin of Vicar of Christ

First recorded in 1475–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Vicar of Christ

Papal biographer Austen Ivereigh, a supporter of Francis, countered by Tweeting: “He’s making sure that they engage with him, not treat him like a sacred relic. He’s the Vicar of Christ, not a Roman emperor.”

From Reuters ● Mar. 26, 2019

"The Pope is the earthly head of the Church, the Vicar of Christ," she says.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2018

In 1965, when Pope Paul VI became the first Vicar of Christ to visit New York, the police used gray wooden sawhorses to line the papal route through the city’s streets.

From New York Times ● Sep. 25, 2015

Now, just over seven years later, his strength is gone, and in a striking, even revolutionary act of humility, Benedict has announced his resignation as the Vicar of Christ, effective at 8 p.m.

From Time ● Feb. 17, 2013

Head of Holy Catholic Church, 119; proclaims Holy War at Rome, 251; sees Black Colin, 253; regarded by Black Colin as Vicar of Christ on earth, 253 Priam.

From Hero-Myths & Legends of the British Race by Ebbutt, M. I. (Maud Isabel)