pontifical

[ pon-tif-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. relating to or proceeding from a pope or from the office of the pope; papal:

   This document gathers together and sums up all the pontifical teachings on Saint Thomas Aquinas.

   The pontifical court of Innocent IV was maintained at Lyons rather than Rome.

2. (of an academic institution) established or certified by the office of the pope and covering disciplines directly related to Christian belief, such as theology, philosophy, and canon law:

   The outspoken Dominican nun teaches theology at a pontifical university in Rome.

3. relating to, characteristic of, or conducted by a high-ranking prelate, especially a bishop.
4. pompous, dogmatic, or pretentious:

   His coworkers resented his lofty and pontifical manner, which they found arrogant.

noun

1. Pontifical. (in the Western Church) a book containing the forms for the sacraments and other rites and ceremonies to be performed by bishops:

   She has recently published her thesis about an illuminated Pontifical made in 1350 for the archbishop of Narbonne.

2. pontificals, the vestments and other insignia of a high-ranking prelate, especially a bishop.

pontifical

/ pɒnˈtɪfɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a pontiff, the pope, or a bishop
2. having an excessively authoritative manner; pompous

noun

1. RC Church Church of England a book containing the prayers and ritual instructions for ceremonies restricted to a bishop

Derived Forms

• ponˈtifically, adverb

Other Words From

• pon·tif·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·pon·tif·i·cal adjective
• un·pon·tif·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pontifical¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin pontificālis, from pontific-, stem of pontifex pontifex + -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

While some reforms have been made – Pope Francis lifted the official pontifical secret covering abuse cases in 2019 – core issues remain.

From Seattle Times

In a more recent ruling, Judge David Foxton of Britain’s Commercial Court ruled in June that the Holy See couldn’t rely on the “pontifical secret” to shield high-level communications between top Vatican officials from discovery.

From Washington Times

Paolo Ruffini, in charge of communications for the meeting, denied the debate had been put under the pontifical secret, one of the highest forms of confidentiality in the church.

From Seattle Times

The establishment of a resident pontifical representative in Vietnam could lead to full diplomatic relations.

From Reuters

Becciu also asks whether Francis intended to remove a seal of pontifical secrecy on the Vatican’s international dealings, including ransoms paid for its clergy.

From Washington Post