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

Before, the artist was serving the popes and aristocrats and Medici. —David Marchese David Marchese Illustration By Bráulio Amado, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2023

Francis — who took the name of the patron saint of ecology — stands out among popes in his push to make environmentalism a core part of the faith. —Chico Harlan, Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2023

For three years in the thirteenth century, there was no pope. —Matt Ford, The New Republic, 15 Oct. 2023

The pope does not shy away from the responsibility of oil and gas companies, saying new fossil fuel exploration only further contributes to the climate crisis. —Denise Chow, NBC News, 4 Oct. 2023

The pope leveled heavy criticism at climate change deniers and delayers. —Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, 4 Oct. 2023

The pope can also call an extraordinary meeting to discuss a more pressing topic and problem. —Daniel Speed Thompson, The Conversation, 4 Oct. 2023

Other groups pressing for women’s ordination to the priesthood are also in Rome, even though the pope has taken the subject of women priests off the table. —Nicole Winfield and Trisha Thomas, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2023

Because everyone from the pope to the World Health Organization to the U.N. is saying, just stop the violence for a period of time, at least. —CBS News, 29 Oct. 2023

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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

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