pope

noun

ˈpōp 

1

often capitalized : a prelate who as bishop of Rome is the head of the Roman Catholic Church

2

: one that resembles a pope (as in authority)

3

a

: the Eastern Orthodox or Coptic patriarch of Alexandria

b

: a priest of an Eastern church

Examples of pope in a Sentence

The cardinals elected a new pope.

Recent Examples on the Web

Based on the Robert Harris thriller of the same name, the film stars Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence, who is charged with overseeing the election of a new pope after the current pope dies. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 26 Oct. 2024

Conclave stars Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence, who is given the job of overseeing the election of a new pope. —Simon Thompson, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

The three actors all play Catholic Cardinals in Conclave, a gripping new drama about the backstabbing and posturing that unfolds behind the scenes in Vatican City as the men of the cloth assemble to elect a new pope from among their ranks when the Supreme Pontiff dies. —Eric Andersson, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024

The film, adapted from the novel by Robert Harris, depicts the chaos and intrigue of the secret procedure that unfolds once a pope dies. —Esther Zuckerman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English pāpa, from Late Latin papa, from Greek pappas, papas, title of bishops, literally, papa

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pope

noun

ˈpōp 

often capitalized

: the head of the Roman Catholic Church

Biographical Definition

Pope 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

ˈpōp 

Alexander 1688–1744 English poet

Popian adjective

or less commonly Popean

ˈpō-pē-ən 

Pope

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

John 1822–1892 American general