What does pope mean?
The pope is the bishop of Rome, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, and the successor of Saint Peter. As the Church's senior pontiff, the pope has a distinctive position combining spiritual, ecclesiastical, and symbolic authority. The word is used in formal historical, religious, and news contexts, especially when discussing papal elections, the conclave, papal teachings, and the pope's public statements. In direct reference to the office or its holder, “Pope” is normally capitalized, though the lowercase form is also traditional and can be used more generically to compare someone with a leading figure in another field. Although the title is most closely associated with the Roman Catholic Church, the word itself is not confined to British or American usage. Its unusual history is reflected in the contrast between the modern title and its origin: it began as an ordinary familial word for “father” before becoming one of Christianity's most recognizable religious designations.
nounThe pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church, the bishop of Rome, and the successor of Saint Peter. The title is also used for a pontiff regarded as the head of the Church.
- The bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church.
- A pontiff regarded as pre-eminent within the Church.
"The pope addressed the assembled cardinals from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica."
"Millions watched the pope's address from St Peter's Square."
"The reigning pope is the senior pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church."
Used when referring to multiple holders of the office, especially across different periods.
"Several popes have visited the historic cathedral."
The word that names Christianity's best-known bishop began as a simple Greek word for father.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pope come from?
The word entered Middle English through Old English pāpa, ultimately derived from Latin papā, which was borrowed from Greek πάππας, a term of endearment meaning “father.” It was adopted as a title for the bishop of Rome and later developed into a regular institutional designation. Related forms include papal, papacy, and the historically pejorative papist.
Related word forms
How pope is actually used
In formal reference to the office, the word is capitalized as “Pope,” as in “Pope Leo XIV.” The lowercase form may be used generically in expressions such as “the pope of literary fiction,” though such comparisons can sound informal or hyperbolic.