vicarius Christi
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Latin
[edit]Etymology
[edit]See vicārius (“substitute, deputy”), Christus (“Christ”). First attested as a papal epithet in the Roman Synod of 495, but applied literally to bishops, the apostles, and Frankish kings through the Early Middle Ages.[1][2] Restricted to the pope from at least the 13th century.
Noun
[edit]vicārius Christī m (genitive vicāriī Christī); second declension
- (Ecclesiastical Latin) Vicar of Christ, the pope
- 1562, Diego Laynez, Disputatio de origine jurisdictionis episcoporum et de Romani pontificis primatu, III.2.3.168:
- […] et quod Spiritus sanctus in conciliis, vel vicarius Christi facit, Christus facere dicitur.
- […] and what the Holy Spirit in the councils or the Vicar of Christ does, is said to be done by Christ.