( often initial capital letter ) the bishop of Rome as head of the Roman Catholic Church.

(in the early Christian church) a bishop.

a person considered as having or assuming authority or a position similar to that of the Roman Catholic pope.

the title of the Coptic patriarch of Alexandria.

Eastern Church .

the Orthodox patriarch of Alexandria.

(in certain churches) a parish priest.

adjective

episcopal , papal , pontifical

noun

ablegate , bishop of rome , legate , nuncio , otho , papacy , paparchy , pontifex maximus. associatedwords: papal , pontiff , pontifical , popedom , popery , popish , see , vatican , vicegerent