Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Vicar of Christ

First recorded in 1475–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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 • Feb. 13, 2025

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

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

Roland’s steed, 136; slain by Saracens, 150 Vicar of Christ on earth, Black Colin regards Pope as, 253 Vikings.

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

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "Vicar of Christ" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com