papal

adjective

pa·​pal ˈpā-pəl How to pronounce papal (audio)
: of or relating to a pope or to the Roman Catholic Church
also : resembling a pope or that of a pope
papally adverb

Examples of papal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Finally Met Joan Baez: 'Absolutely Surreal' Directed by Edward Berger, papal drama-thriller Conclave recently nabbed the best film prize at the 2025 BAFTA Awards. Jen Juneau, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025 Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican foreign minister, pointed out this week that a papal resignation is not on the cards and that Francis will give everything to recover. Christopher Lamb, CNN, 1 Mar. 2025 Comments God has smiled upon Conclave, the 2024 political thriller about a papal conclave and the myriad secrets beneath the cardinals' vestments. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025 On the first day of the papal conclave, one ballot is taken, and four on each subsequent day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for papal

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin papalis, from Late Latin papa

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of papal was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Papal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papal. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

papal

adjective
pa·​pal ˈpā-pəl How to pronounce papal (audio)
: of or relating to the pope or the papacy
papally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on papal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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