papacy

noun

pa·​pa·​cy ˈpā-pə-sē 

plural papacies

1

: the office of pope

2

: a succession or line of popes

3

: the term of a pope's reign

4

capitalized : the system of government of the Roman Catholic Church of which the pope is the supreme head

Examples of papacy in a Sentence

He was selected by the cardinals for the papacy.

Recent Examples on the Web

His was a papacy focused on the margins, on the dispossessed, and the most vulnerable. —ABC News, 27 Apr. 2025

Throughout his papacy, though, Francis focused on the desperate and poor of the present, among them migrants, refugees, and those threatened by climate change or famine. —Alan Yuhas, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025

During his papacy, John Paul II preached service, the responsibility for peace and the protection of life. —Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025

As the world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, I am reminded of my own interaction with the Vatican early in Francis’s papacy. —Paul Laudicina, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English papacie, from Medieval Latin papatia, from Late Latin papa pope — more at pope

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing papacy

• the papacy

Kids Definition

papacy

noun

pa·​pa·​cy ˈpā-pə-sē 

plural papacies

1

: the office of pope

2

: the term of a pope's reign

3

capitalized : the government of the Roman Catholic Church of which the pope is the head