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.

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Vicar of Christ British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of Vicar of Christ

First recorded in 1475–85

Example Sentences

Gelasius I is widely recognised as the first pope to officially be called the "Vicar of Christ", a term that signifies the Pope's role as Christ's representative on Earth.

From BBC

But it comes with all the skullduggery, wheeling and dealing, and conspiracy one would expect, as the frontrunners try to improve their chances of becoming the Vicar of Christ.

From BBC

“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,” tweeted the papal biographer, Austen Ivereigh.

From The Guardian

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

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

From BBC