Pontiff
/ˈpɑːntɪf/noun
The leader of the Catholic Church, also called the Pope.
The pontiff delivered his blessing from the balcony at the Vatican.
Often appears as...
- roman pontiff
- visit from the pontiff
Usage tips
Religious
noun
A high or respected religious leader in any religion.
As the pontiff of the local church, many turned to him for guidance.
Often appears as...
- high pontiff
- titles of the pontiff
Usage tips
Religious
noun
The leader of the Catholic Church, also called the Pope.
The pontiff delivered his blessing from the balcony at the Vatican.
Often appears as...
- roman pontiff
- visit from the pontiff
Usage tips
Religious
noun
A high or respected religious leader in any religion.
As the pontiff of the local church, many turned to him for guidance.
Often appears as...
- high pontiff
- titles of the pontiff
Usage tips
Religious
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Specific Role
Used exclusively for the leader of the Catholic Church.
The pontiff is visiting Brazil next month.
Pro Tip 2/3Singular Figure
There is only one pontiff at any given time in the Catholic Church.
After the previous pontiff passed away, a new one was elected.
Pro Tip 3/3Not a Common Term
The word 'pontiff' is formal and mostly used in religious or official contexts.
The pontiff's decree was heard worldwide.
Compare with
archbishopbishopcardinalclericministerpatriarchpopeprimate
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Video examples
Sting: How I started...
For they're launching a boat on the Tyne at high tide And they've come from all over, from far and from wide" There's the old Dalai Lama And the pontiff of Rome Every palace in Europe, and there's nay bugger home
Video examples
Sting: How I started...
For they're launching a boat on the Tyne at high tide And they've come from all over, from far and from wide" There's the old Dalai Lama And the pontiff of Rome Every palace in Europe, and there's nay bugger home
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Jonathan Turley
American Lawyer
Obama is as likely to be impeached as he is to be installed as the next pontiff. And I say that as someone who has testified in Congress that this president has violated federal laws, unconstitutionally appointed various executive-branch officers and improperly transferred money.
Quote examples
Pope Francis
Argentinian Clergyman
This is me, a sinner on whom the Lord has turned his gaze. And this is what I said when they asked me if I would accept my election as pontiff. I am a sinner, but I trust in the infinite mercy and patience of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I accept in a spirit of penance.
Quote examples
James Wolcott
American Critic
A new political-entertainment class has moved into the noisy void once occupied by the sage pontiffs of yore, a class just as polarized as our partisan divide: one side holding up a fun-house mirror to folly, the other side reveling in its own warped reflection.
Quote examples
Jonathan Turley
American Lawyer
Obama is as likely to be impeached as he is to be installed as the next pontiff. And I say that as someone who has testified in Congress that this president has violated federal laws, unconstitutionally appointed various executive-branch officers and improperly transferred money.
Quote examples
Pope Francis
Argentinian Clergyman
This is me, a sinner on whom the Lord has turned his gaze. And this is what I said when they asked me if I would accept my election as pontiff. I am a sinner, but I trust in the infinite mercy and patience of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I accept in a spirit of penance.
Quote examples
James Wolcott
American Critic
A new political-entertainment class has moved into the noisy void once occupied by the sage pontiffs of yore, a class just as polarized as our partisan divide: one side holding up a fun-house mirror to folly, the other side reveling in its own warped reflection.
Example 1 of 3
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