The system of ecclesiastical or political government headed by the Pope; the papal government or administration. Also figurative.

Roman Catholicism, esp. as regarded as an unreasoning and threatening force; the system of papal government.

The papal government (in later use esp. as a political state). Also: an area under papal jurisdiction; papal supremacy or control. Cf. papacy, n. 2.

Papal rule or sovereignty; government by a pope; the papacy.

Adherence to or support for the Pope or the papacy; spec. belief in or support for a system of ecclesiastical government in which the highest…