pope
Bishop of Rome
The pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church, considered by Catholics to be the spiritual successor to Saint Peter.
The title applies to the Bishop of Rome, who serves as the supreme authority on matters of faith and church governance.
Informally, pope can describe anyone treated as the ultimate authority in a field: the pope of fashion criticism.
The adjective papal relates to the pope or papacy.
Of foremost importance
- bishopDiocesan clergy head
- archbishopSenior prelate over province
- nuncioPontifical diplomatic representative
- legateOfficial ecclesiastical representative
curia · vicar · prelate · monsignor · deacon · diocese · see · succession
Quantity of matter
- vestmentsCeremonial religious attire
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
- altarSacred ritual table
- chaliceOrnate ritual drinking vessel
chasuble · mitre · crozier · pallium · procession · blessing · genuflection · homily
Incapacity for mistakes
- encyclicalFormal papal circular letter
- excommunicationFormal barring from sacraments
- interdictAuthoritative prohibition order
- canonAccepted authoritative works
dogma · doctrine · jurisdiction · pontificate · imprimatur · bull · edict · dispensation
Colonnaded church with apse
- piazzaPublic urban square
- domeRounded vault forming roof
- obeliskTapering stone monument
- grottoesSmall natural or artificial caverns
necropolis · archives · balcony · conclave
One who tends flocks
- holinessSacred spiritual purity
- sanctityQuality of being inviolable
- prayerAddress to deity
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
devotion · faith · grace · guidance · flock · faithful · souls · intercession
Ornamental feminine headband
- schismFormal organizational fracture
- reformationProcess of improving institutions
- inquisitionSustained, probing investigation
- crusadeZealous effort for change
concordat · antipope · renaissance · councils · investiture
cardinal
Of foremost importance
- bishopDiocesan clergy head
- archbishopSenior prelate over province
- nuncioPontifical diplomatic representative
legate · curia · vicar · prelate · monsignor · deacon · diocese · see · succession · conclave
mass
Quantity of matter
chalice · chasuble · mitre · crozier · pallium · procession · blessing · genuflection · homily · lectionary
infallibility
Incapacity for mistakes
- encyclicalFormal papal circular letter
- excommunicationFormal barring from sacraments
- interdictAuthoritative prohibition order
canon · dogma · doctrine · jurisdiction · pontificate · imprimatur · bull · edict · dispensation · binding
basilica
Colonnaded church with apse
grottoes · necropolis · archives · balcony · conclave
shepherd
One who tends flocks
blessing · devotion · faith · grace · guidance · flock · faithful · souls · intercession · pilgrimage
tiara
Ornamental feminine headband
- schismFormal organizational fracture
- reformationProcess of improving institutions
- inquisitionSustained, probing investigation
crusade · concordat · antipope · renaissance · councils · investiture
- CatholicismVatican, cardinals, Holy Communion, Roman Catholicism, Holy See
- Medieval Europekings, queens, knights, castles, castle
- historical rolesking, queen, emperor, knight, peasant
- traditional ranksking, queen, prince, princess, duke
- Catholic Clergypontiff, cardinal, bishop, monsignor, archbishop
- church rolesbishop, deacons, priest, pastor, lay readers
popelayperson
Non-specialist or unordained person
parishioner · congregant · deacon · parish priest · laity
popepatriarch
Male head of family
antipope · Martin Luther · Archbishop of Canterbury · Dalai Lama · Protestant minister
- Pope FrancisCurrent head of Catholicism
- Pope John Paul II
- Pope Benedict XVISixteenth pope named Benedict
- Pope BenedictCatholic spiritual leader
- Alexander PopeGeorgian era versifier
- pope's noseFowl's tail tip