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papal

papal; of the Pope

adjective pah-PAHL Rare

Origin: From Medieval Latin papalis, from papa (pope).

Usage Note

Papal is an adjective describing matters relating to the Pope or the papacy — decreto papal (papal decree), nuncio papal (papal nuncio). It does not change for gender (el mandato papal, la autoridad papal) but pluralises regularly (decisiones papales). The noun papa (Pope) is masculine in Spanish, despite the -a ending — always el Papa.

Examples

"El decreto papal fue anunciado en el Vaticano."

Natural Translation

The papal decree was announced at the Vatican.

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