papacy

noun, plural pa·pa·cies. Roman Catholic Church.

1. the office, dignity, or jurisdiction of the pope.
2. the system of ecclesiastical government in which the pope is recognized as the supreme head.
3. the period during which a certain pope is in office.
4. the succession or line of the popes.

noun plural -cies

1. the office or term of office of a pope
2. the system of government in the Roman Catholic Church that has the pope as its head

n.late 14c., from Medieval Latin papatia “papal office,” from Late Latin papa “pope” (see pope). Old English had papdom in this sense. The office or position of the pope.