Vatican

noun

Vat·​i·​can ˈva-ti-kən 

1

: the papal headquarters in Rome

2

: the papal government

Vatican adjective

Examples of Vatican in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

King Charles Writes to Pope Francis amid His Health Worries as Plans for Italy and Vatican Visit Confirmed Speaking with the Italian newspaper, the pope's doctor shared that throughout the medical crisis, the pontiff wanted to make sure the public knew what was going on. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025

He is expected to return home to Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City. —Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2025

Many callers just need to be directed to the right Vatican office or official, and the sisters oblige with the aid of massive yearbooks and directories, as well as a solid knowledge of protocols and a hefty dose of discretion, Sister Anthony said. —Giovanna Dell’orto, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025

Pope Francis to be discharged from hospital on Sunday, Vatican says The area near the entrance of the hospital had been filling up with people on Sunday morning. —Phoebe Natanson, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin (mons) Vāticānus, hill on the west bank of the Tiber, the traditional site of the apostle Peter's tomb, on which a basilica was built in the 4th century

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Vatican

• the Vatican