: of or relating to a pope or to the Roman Catholic Church
also
: resembling a pope or that of a pope
Examples of papal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Francis, who scaled back rules for papal funeral rites a year ago, made sure his own service and burial reflected that same message of simplicity − breaking from tradition even in death.
—
Susan Miller, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
The movie tries to showcase the battle for the soul of the church that takes place during a papal election, highlighting tensions between progressives and traditionalists, the role (or lack thereof) of women and, in the case of Fiennes’ character, Cardinal Lawrence, a crisis of faith.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
Electing a new pope: What happens next and what is a papal conclave?
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
The papal Vatican thriller Conclave and the biographical drama The Two Popes are surging in viewership following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for papal
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Susan Miller, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
The movie tries to showcase the battle for the soul of the church that takes place during a papal election, highlighting tensions between progressives and traditionalists, the role (or lack thereof) of women and, in the case of Fiennes’ character, Cardinal Lawrence, a crisis of faith.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
Electing a new pope: What happens next and what is a papal conclave?
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
The papal Vatican thriller Conclave and the biographical drama The Two Popes are surging in viewership following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for papal
Cite this Entry
“Papal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papal. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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