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

With the Catholic Church suddenly left without a pope, Dean Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) convenes a conclave to elect a successor and opens the door to a closet full of skeletons surrounding the leading candidates. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025

Gazing at the lavish Italian-style gardens and intricate topiaries of the pope’s vast summer estate just outside of Rome, a local priest who immigrated to Waukegan from Mexico as a child marveled that he’s been entrusted with their care. —Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025

According to the 1389 documents, including a letter written by Bishop d’Arcis to the pope, the Shroud of Turin appeared in the Champagne region of France around 1355. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025

The pope has also called for an end to the war in Gaza. —Jordana Miller, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for pope

• cope
• dope
• grope
• lope
• mope
• nope
• rope
• scope
• shope
• slope
• soap
• stope

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