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
Example Sentences
The cardinals elected a new pope.
Recent Examples on the Web White smoke billowed from the top of the stage as if a new pope had been named at the Vatican. 
Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2022 Outside economists describe its workings as mysterious, and the long wait for its recession pronouncements can be like watching for the white smoke heralding a new pope. Jim Puzzanghera, BostonGlobe.com, 23 July 2022 Here’s some background information about the Vatican’s timetable and process for choosing a new pope. CNN, 6 Apr. 2022 John Paul brought the message here to Warsaw in his first trip back home as pope in June of 1979. ABC News, 26 Mar. 2022 John Paul brought the message here to Warsaw in his first trip back home as pope in June of 1979. Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2022 As pope, Benedict extended the statute of limitations for abuse of minors and Vatican judges during his pontificate hardly ever reduced the sentences of defrocked abusers on appeal. Francis X. Rocca, WSJ, 8 Feb. 2022 The pope’s similarly brief stopover, in contrast, is not intended to be celebratory. Rob Gillies And David Crary, Anchorage Daily News, 28 July 2022 More than 100 other nations endorsed the proposal, along with 140 former heads of state, a number of Nobel Laureates, and the pope. Vidya Krishnan, The Atlantic, 18 July 2022 See More
Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2022 Outside economists describe its workings as mysterious, and the long wait for its recession pronouncements can be like watching for the white smoke heralding a new pope. Jim Puzzanghera, BostonGlobe.com, 23 July 2022 Here’s some background information about the Vatican’s timetable and process for choosing a new pope. CNN, 6 Apr. 2022 John Paul brought the message here to Warsaw in his first trip back home as pope in June of 1979. ABC News, 26 Mar. 2022 John Paul brought the message here to Warsaw in his first trip back home as pope in June of 1979. Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2022 As pope, Benedict extended the statute of limitations for abuse of minors and Vatican judges during his pontificate hardly ever reduced the sentences of defrocked abusers on appeal. Francis X. Rocca, WSJ, 8 Feb. 2022 The pope’s similarly brief stopover, in contrast, is not intended to be celebratory. Rob Gillies And David Crary, Anchorage Daily News, 28 July 2022 More than 100 other nations endorsed the proposal, along with 140 former heads of state, a number of Nobel Laureates, and the pope. Vidya Krishnan, The Atlantic, 18 July 2022 See More 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 2biographical name (2)
John 1822–1892 American general
pope
noun
as in archbishop
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- archbishop
- bishop
- abbot
- prelate
- dean
- diocesan
- monsignor
- vicar
- archpriest
- pastor
- presbyter
- churchman
- abbé
- priestess
- priest
- curé
- clergyman
- rector
- shepherd
- parson
- deaconess
- chaplain
- confessor
- clergywoman
- preacher
- padre
- ecclesiastic
- cleric
- deacon
- divine
- curate
- clerical
- reverend
- friar
- father
- monk
- religious
- missionary
- minister
- Holy Joe
- missioner
- clergyperson
- clerk
- sky pilot
- evangelist
- dominie
- monastic
- mendicant
- high priestess
- revivalist
- high priest
- oblate
- missionizer
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- layman
- layperson
- secular
- lector
- lay reader