Holy See

noun

: the see of the pope

Examples of Holy See in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web His supporters argue that maintaining neutrality has long been at the center of Holy See diplomacy. Niha Masih, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 The Holy See said the short visit was for diagnostic tests and is back at the Vatican. Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2024 The Vatican issued the communiqué through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, which is a department of the Roman Curia, the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body through which the Pope conducts the affairs of the global Catholic Church. Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 8 Aug. 2023 After the success with Nauru, Chinese officials have since promised to lure away more of Taiwan’s remaining allies — 11 countries, many of them small, and the Holy See. Vic Chiang, Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2024 Now only 11 countries — including Belize, Paraguay and Eswatini — and the Holy See officially recognize Taiwan as China has systematically picked off nations that continued to recognize Taipei. Michael E. Miller, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2024 Glendon, a Harvard law professor and human-rights scholar who served as President George W. Bush’s ambassador to the Holy See, recounts her experiences in the Vatican across the past three pontificates, as a diplomat, adviser, and consultant. Katherine Howell, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023 The pope’s remark came during an annual foreign policy address to diplomats accredited to the Holy See which traditionally serves as a lament for all the world’s conflicts and injustices. Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2024 Prosecutors alleged brokers and Vatican officials fleeced the Holy See of tens of millions of euros in fees and commissions in connection with the investment, and then extorted the Vatican for 15 million euros ($16.5 million) to cede control of the property, the Associated Press reported. Phoebe Natanson, ABC News, 16 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Holy See.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Holy See was in 1765

Dictionary Entries Near Holy See

Cite this Entry

“Holy See.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Holy%20See. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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