: 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
The summer had the feel of a soft opening to Leo’s pontificate, in part because many papal events had been arranged before he was elected.
—
Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
In addition to the Jubilee, 2025 was momentous because of the papal transition after Francis died in April and cardinals elected history’s first pope from the United States.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
Her remaining rival is state Rep. James Talarico, a wunderkind whose national breakout came via the Joe Rogan podcast — the modern equivalent of a papal blessing for online clout, if not for winning statewide office in Texas.
—Matt K. Lewis, Twin Cities, 19 Dec. 2025
The pope met with Zelensky on Tuesday at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, a town roughly 15 miles from Rome.
—Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
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Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
In addition to the Jubilee, 2025 was momentous because of the papal transition after Francis died in April and cardinals elected history’s first pope from the United States.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
Her remaining rival is state Rep. James Talarico, a wunderkind whose national breakout came via the Joe Rogan podcast — the modern equivalent of a papal blessing for online clout, if not for winning statewide office in Texas.
—Matt K. Lewis, Twin Cities, 19 Dec. 2025
The pope met with Zelensky on Tuesday at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, a town roughly 15 miles from Rome.
—Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 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 9 Jan. 2026.
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