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

Francis again criticizes President Donald Trump's immigration policies in open letter Video of the pope's meeting with Fico showed Francis sitting at a desk in his Vatican residence, smiling, and speaking in a soft tone. —Joshua McElwee, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025

But Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that Francis appeared to be in good spirits, telling reporters on Saturday that the pontiff had taken to reading newspapers after presiding over his morning masses. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025

Francis was diagnosed with bronchitis last Thursday but has continued his daily meetings from his Vatican residence, presiding over general audiences and even leading an outdoor Mass last Sunday. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

Francis was in good spirits and had read some newspapers after arriving at Rome’s Gemelli hospital after presiding over his morning audiences, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said. —Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 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