as in episcopal
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Recent Examples of papal
Mario doubled back for the Alabama cleansing, Nick Saban’s football version of a papal blessing and three years on staff making Mario hirable again.
—
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
Since his election at the papal conclave in May, the American pontiff's tenure has largely been shaped by commitments inherited from Francis, including the major events of the 2025 Holy Year.
—Anna Matranga, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Eight months later, John Paul II died, and the papal conclave elected as his successor Joseph Ratzinger, who took the name Benedict XVI; Bergoglio, who at the time was thought to be a conservative, was the runner-up.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
The papal intervention may influence not only European leaders but also policymakers in Washington as debate continues about the best approach to peace in Ukraine.
—Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for papal
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
Since his election at the papal conclave in May, the American pontiff's tenure has largely been shaped by commitments inherited from Francis, including the major events of the 2025 Holy Year.
—Anna Matranga, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Eight months later, John Paul II died, and the papal conclave elected as his successor Joseph Ratzinger, who took the name Benedict XVI; Bergoglio, who at the time was thought to be a conservative, was the runner-up.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
The papal intervention may influence not only European leaders but also policymakers in Washington as debate continues about the best approach to peace in Ukraine.
—Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for papal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for papal
Adjective
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This year there was the addition of a new episcopal area for Burundi and Rwanda and the appointment of nine new bishops, a reversal of the trend among U.S. bishops.—
Liam Adams,
Nashville Tennessean,
26 Oct. 2025
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Haller Suites & Restaurant offers a dining experience with panoramic views over the episcopal town.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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The bishops further authorized a new edition of the Roman Pontifical for pontifical Masses, expected to be completed by 2027, with Vatican approval pending for some rites, according to the Catholic News Agency.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Nov. 2025
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In its report, the pontifical commission highlights failures in the Italian church.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Like his apostolic namesake, Thomas believes unquestioningly in the evidence of his senses.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
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The ceremony will be presided over by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
18 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Monday in Dallas, the Houston congressman blamed the inaccurate date on a clerical error and said his Republican Senate primary rival’s attacks show that the Hunt campaign is surging.—
Joseph Morton,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
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The Social Security Administration bases its COLA each year on the average annual increases in a subset of the overall consumer price index called the index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, from July through September.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Rayner is a popular and charismatic Labour Party soldier who was forced to step down from her role at 10 Downing Street in September due to a breach of the ministerial code after underpaying taxes on one of her residential properties.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
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Binali Yıldırım, a loyal supporter, took on prime ministerial duties.—
Kaya Genç,
The Dial,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Lopez’s thoughts turned to those who may have strayed from the faith, the priestly role in bringing them back and the importance of Christmas in perhaps sparking that return.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Dec. 2025
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Full priestly duties June through October, combined with driving up and down the mountain, had been a stretch.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Last year, the IRS proposed settling a lawsuit brought by the National Religious Broadcasters, an evangelical Christian media group, and two Texas churches that challenged a ban on most nonprofits from endorsing political candidates in elections.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
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Although the film was made for Netflix, Del Toro was equally evangelical about seeing it on the big screen.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Prosperity is lauded dozens of times in the Book of Mormon, so knocking for commissions can feel almost sacerdotal.—
Tad Friend,
The New Yorker,
1 Aug. 2022
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Diminution drains this office of the sacerdotal pomposities that have encrusted it.—
Conor Friedersdorf,
The Atlantic,
1 Aug. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Papal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/papal. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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