pontiff

noun

pon·tiff ˈpän-təf

: pontifex

: bishop

specifically, often capitalized : pope sense 1

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web In many ways, Pope Francis is a buzzy pontiff in the California style. —

Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2023 Pope Francis’ latest comments are the first time that a pontiff has spoken out against antigay laws. —

Francis X. Rocca, WSJ, 25 Jan. 2023 As a result, the rules and customs for a reigning pontiff did not apply, according to the Rev. David Collins, associate professor of history and director of Catholic studies at Georgetown University. —

Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2023 With bells tolling, thousands of faithful, political leaders and the pope himself mourned Benedict XVI, the German theologian who made history by resigning, at a rare requiem Mass Thursday for a dead pontiff presided over by a living one. —

Nicole Winfield, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Jan. 2023 On social media, priests have been sharing photos of memorials within their parishes, all bearing some likeness of the late pontiff, surrounded by black shrouds, candles or flowers. —

Aj Willingham, CNN, 4 Jan. 2023 Even Monday, Benedict XVI didn’t have all the markings of a pontiff. —

Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 2 Jan. 2023 The rituals of his passing were less like the ones of a pontiff, monarch or Vicar of Christ on Earth and more akin to those of a retired bishop, even if he will be buried in the red vestments of a pope. —

Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2023 The rituals of his passing were less like the ones of a pontiff, monarch or Vicar of Christ on Earth and more akin to those of a retired bishop, even if he will be buried in the red vestments of a pope. —

Nicole Winfield, ajc, 1 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pontiff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.