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
The infection progressed into a complex respiratory tract infection and double pneumonia that has sidelined Francis for the longest period of his 12-year papacy and raised questions about the future of his papacy.
—
Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
The illness later progressed into a complex respiratory infection and double pneumonia, keeping him sidelined for the longest period of his 12-year papacy and raising questions about his future leadership.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Francis has not been seen in public since entering the hospital, his longest absence from view since his papacy started in March 2013.
—Joshua McElwee, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
The pope has not been seen in public since entering hospital, his longest absence from view since his papacy started in March 2013, and his doctors have not said how long his treatment might last.
—Reuters, NBC News, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for papacy
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Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
The illness later progressed into a complex respiratory infection and double pneumonia, keeping him sidelined for the longest period of his 12-year papacy and raising questions about his future leadership.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Francis has not been seen in public since entering the hospital, his longest absence from view since his papacy started in March 2013.
—Joshua McElwee, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
The pope has not been seen in public since entering hospital, his longest absence from view since his papacy started in March 2013, and his doctors have not said how long his treatment might last.
—Reuters, NBC News, 2 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 11 Mar. 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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