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

Papacy : 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

Rome — On Monday, Pope Leo XIV’s is setting off on a long Africa trip, the first of his papacy to bear a clear personal stamp. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026

The pontiff has been a strong messenger for global peace since the start of his papacy last May. —David Brennan, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026

That meeting ended disastrously, according to reports, when one U.S. official went off-script and suggested that the U.S. could set up an alternative papacy if Leo didn’t fall into line. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026

Rate Field also hosted a special celebration and Mass honoring his papacy last June. —Todd Feurer, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026

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