papacy

noun

pa·​pa·​cy ˈpā-pə-sē 

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

Technology The Big Story Pope Leo’s warns of AI’s impact on youth Pope Leo XIV sounded the alarm this week over artificial intelligence (AI)’s potential impact on young people’s intellectual and neurological development, building upon one of the main focuses of his papacy. —Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 20 June 2025

And yet the implications of his early papacy are already profound. —Christopher Hale, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025

Freddie Clayton The Fisherman’s Ring is a signet ring presented to a new pope at his inauguration, as a symbol of his episcopal authority and as the successor of St. Peter, the fisherman apostle and the first pope, who began his papacy around the year 30. —Nbc News, NBC news, 18 May 2025

Roche said while there have been reforms across recent papacies, the conclaves have also opted for candidates offering continuity on the essentials of Catholic doctrine. —Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 9 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English papacie, from Medieval Latin papatia, from Late Latin papa pope — more at pope

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing papacy

• the papacy

Kids 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