vatican
vatican Lexical Profile
• noun
An independent city-state and enclave located entirely within the city of Rome, Italy, serving as the spiritual and administrative headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church (usually preceded by 'the').
The large palace complex and official residence of the Pope located on the Vatican Hill in Rome, Italy, housing major museums, chapels, and libraries (usually preceded by 'the').
"Thousands of art enthusiasts visit the Vatican each week to admire the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel."
The central governing authority, leadership, and ecclesiastical administration of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church (usually preceded by 'the').
"The Vatican issued an official encyclical addressing global poverty and environmental stewardship."
• adjective
Relating to the Vatican City, the papal residence, or the administrative authority of the Roman Catholic Church.
"The historians were granted special permission to examine rare medieval manuscripts inside the Vatican archives."
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.