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
After 38 days in the hospital, Pope Francis finally left on March 23, marking the longest hospitalization in the pope’s 12-year papacy.
—
Anissa Reyes, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2025
Those same conservative critics, of course, have been keenly watching Francis’ hospitalization and wondering whether the end of his papacy is near.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2025
What initially appeared to be bronchitis evolved into a complex respiratory tract infection and double pneumonia, marking the longest period of illness in his 12-year papacy and sparking concerns about his future.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
His medical team has not provided an in-person update on his condition since Feb. 21, a sign of the up-and-down nature of his hospitalization, the longest of his 12-year papacy.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for papacy
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Anissa Reyes, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2025
Those same conservative critics, of course, have been keenly watching Francis’ hospitalization and wondering whether the end of his papacy is near.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2025
What initially appeared to be bronchitis evolved into a complex respiratory tract infection and double pneumonia, marking the longest period of illness in his 12-year papacy and sparking concerns about his future.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
His medical team has not provided an in-person update on his condition since Feb. 21, a sign of the up-and-down nature of his hospitalization, the longest of his 12-year papacy.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for papacy
Cite this Entry
“Papacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papacy. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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