PAPAL STATE Meaning and
Definition
-
Papal State refers to a geographic and political entity governed by the Pope, who functions as both the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the head of the state. The term originated from the Latin phrase "Status Pontificius," denoting the territorial dominion under the Pope's jurisdiction.
Historically, the Papal State encompassed a significant portion of central Italy, primarily around the city of Rome. It emerged during the Middle Ages as a result of the political power and influence wielded by the Pope. The Papal State evolved into a distinct entity, distinct from the territories controlled by secular rulers, such as kings and emperors.
The Pope, as the ruler of the Papal State, exercised both spiritual and temporal authority. In addition to his religious duties and responsibilities, the Pope held executive, legislative, and judicial powers within the state. The territory was administered by the Papal Curia, a body of officials appointed by the Pope to govern and administer the Papal State's affairs.
The Papal State came to an end in 1870 when Italy successfully unified under the Kingdom of Italy, driving the Pope from his temporal domain. Most of the territory formerly belonging to the Papal State was annexed by the newly formed Italian state. However, the Pope still retained spiritual sovereignty over Vatican City, a small independent city-state within Rome, which continues to be recognized as the sovereign territory of the Holy See, the central governing body of the Roman Catholic Church.
Common Misspellings for PAPAL STATE
- oapal state
- lapal state
- 0apal state
- pzpal state
- pspal state
- pwpal state
- pqpal state
- paoal state
- palal state
- pa0al state
- papzl state
- papsl state
- papwl state
- papql state
- papak state
- papap state
- papao state
- papal atate
- papal ztate
- papal xtate
Etymology of PAPAL STATE
The word "papal" is derived from the Latin word "papa", which means "pope". It originated from the Greek word "pappas", meaning "father". "Papal" refers to anything related to or associated with the pope.
The term "state" is derived from the Latin word "status", which evolved from the verb "stare", meaning "to stand". In the context of a political entity, a state refers to a defined territory with a political organization and a centralized government.
Therefore, the term "papal state" refers to a political entity or a territory governed directly by the pope, who acts as both the spiritual and temporal leader.
