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Papacy: meaning, definitions and examples

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papacy

 

[ ˈpeɪpəsi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

religious office

The papacy is the office and jurisdiction of the Pope, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. It encompasses the spiritual leadership of the Catholic faithful worldwide and includes the governance of the Church as well as its doctrinal teachings. The papacy is one of the oldest institutions in the world, with its origins tracing back to Saint Peter, whom Catholics believe was appointed by Christ as the head of his disciples.

Synonyms

Holy See, papal office, pontificate

Examples of usage

  • The papacy has significant influence in global politics.
  • His election to the papacy was celebrated by many.
  • The debate about the papacy's role continues among scholars.

Translations

Translations of the word "papacy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 papado

🇮🇳 पोपत्व

🇩🇪 Papsttum

🇮🇩 kepausan

🇺🇦 папство

🇵🇱 papieżstwo

🇯🇵 教皇制

🇫🇷 papauté

🇪🇸 papa

🇹🇷 papalık

🇰🇷 교황직

🇸🇦 بابوية

🇨🇿 papežství

🇸🇰 pápežstvo

🇨🇳 教皇制度

🇸🇮 papeštvo

🇮🇸 páfagildi

🇰🇿 папалық

🇬🇪 პაპობა

🇦🇿 papalıq

🇲🇽 papa

Word origin

The word 'papacy' comes from the Latin 'papatia' which is derived from the Greek word 'papa', meaning 'father'. The title was used to denote the Bishop of Rome, reflecting his spiritual paternal role over the Catholic Church. The earliest manifestations of the papacy emerged in the fourth century, as a result of the growing authority of the bishops of Rome. Throughout the Middle Ages, the papacy became increasingly powerful, shaping and influencing not only religious matters but also political affairs in Europe. The Investiture Controversy and the Great Schism further underscored the complex dynamics surrounding the papacy's authority. Over time, the papacy has evolved and adapted to the changing landscape of Christianity and global society, continuing to be a central figure within the Catholic Church and a prevalent voice in matters of moral and ethical significance.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,848, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.