papal

adjective

pa·​pal ˈpā-pəl 

: of or relating to a pope or to the Roman Catholic Church

also : resembling a pope or that of a pope

papally

ˈpā-pə-lē 

adverb

Examples of papal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On the first papal trip to Spain in 15 years, Leo has warned that escalating conflicts have pushed the world into a profound crisis. —Claudio Lavanga, NBC news, 10 June 2026

Such exchanges are scripted in advance and are typical features of papal trips. —Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026

Migration is one of the key themes of the papal visit to Spain, and Leo will travel to the Canary Islands to show his support for immigrants at a major entry point for those coming to Europe. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 8 June 2026

Leo's visit signals a return of papal attention to Europe's Christian roots after Pope Francis largely stayed away from the traditional centers of Christianity in favor of smaller Catholic communities farther away. —CBS News, 6 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing papal

• anti-papal
• papal cross
• papal decree
• papal infallibility

Rhymes for papal

• maple
• staple

Kids Definition

papal

adjective

pa·​pal ˈpā-pəl 

: of or relating to the pope or the papacy

papally

-pə-lē 

adverb