This term is employed in an ecclesiastical and in an historical signification. In the former of these uses it denotes the ecclesiastical system in which the pope as successor of St. Peter and Vicar of Jesus Christ governs the Catholic Church as its supreme head. In the latter, it signifies the papal influence viewed as a political force in history. (See APOSTOLIC SEE; APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION; CHURCH; PAPAL ARBITRATION; POPE; UNITY.)
Papacy, The
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Source notes
APA citation. Joyce, G. (1911). Papacy. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11451b.htm
MLA citation. Joyce, George. "Papacy." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 11. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. <https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11451b.htm>.
Transcription. This article was transcribed for New Advent by Marcia L. Bellafiore.
Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. February 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
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Source Catholic Encyclopedia (1913) · Letter P