pope

noun

ˈpōp 

1

often capitalized : a prelate who as bishop of Rome is the head of the Roman Catholic Church

2

: one that resembles a pope (as in authority)

3

a

: the Eastern Orthodox or Coptic patriarch of Alexandria

b

: a priest of an Eastern church

Examples of pope in a Sentence

The cardinals elected a new pope.

Recent Examples on the Web

Francis left the hospital on March 23 after 38 days in hospital, the longest of his four stays since his election as pope 12 years ago. —Christopher Lamb, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025

In February, the palace said Charles and his wife Queen Camilla would travel to Rome in April for the couple to meet the 88-year-old pope, but days later Francis was taken to hospital with a severe respiratory infection. —USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025

Ralph Fiennes stars as the cardinal in charge of a conclave to elect a new pope. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 17 Mar. 2025

Francis’ doctors told reporters on Feb. 21 that the pope authorized them to clearly explain the gravity of his situation, in detail, and their regular medical bulletins have suggested that Francis is comfortable with such information being in the public domain. —Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English pāpa, from Late Latin papa, from Greek pappas, papas, title of bishops, literally, papa

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pope

• cope
• dope
• grope
• lope
• mope
• nope
• rope
• scope
• shope
• slope
• soap
• stope

Kids Definition

pope

noun

ˈpōp 

often capitalized

: the head of the Roman Catholic Church

Biographical Definition

Pope 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

ˈpōp 

Alexander 1688–1744 English poet

Popian adjective

or less commonly Popean

ˈpō-pē-ən 

Pope

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

John 1822–1892 American general