papal bull
Sealed pontifical proclamation
A papal bull is a formal decree or charter issued by the pope, named for the lead seal (Latin *bulla*) that authenticates it.
Historically, papal bulls announced major decisions on doctrine, church governance, or political matters: The papal bull excommunicated the king.
The term now applies broadly to any important papal pronouncement.
- canon lawReligious institutional regulations
- bullaFluid-filled skin lesion
- edictAuthoritative public command
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
- ex cathedraWith binding doctrinal authority
Martin Luther · church doctrine · excommunication · pope · rescript · pontiff · document · fiat · Holy See · Catholic Church · Rome · St. Peter's · medieval · anathema · parchment · Latin · authority · tiara
- papal decreesencyclical, rescript
- Catholic ChurchVatican, cardinals, popes, parishes, Holy See
- CatholicismVatican, cardinals, pope, Holy Communion, popes
- historical documentsDeclaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, Magna Carta, Emancipation Proclamation, Federalist Papers
- historical recordsdiary, census record, annual reviews, letter, government records
- papacypontiff, Pope, pope, Holy See, Vatican
source of religious authority
papal bullAct of Supremacy
Law establishing royal church control
individual conscience · personal revelation · fatwa · secular law · folk religion