Vicar of Christ

plural Vicars of Christ · alternative Vicar of Jesus Christ

1. CatholicismThe Pope.

   Not since 1522, when a Dutch theologian was elected Pope Adrian VI, had a non-Italian attained the role of Vicar of Christ.

   2004 January 11, Roberto Pazzi, “Why the Next Pope Needs to Be Italian”, in New York Times

   2 more examples

   "We should never have had the law of 1571, against bulls, and Agnus Deis, and blessed grains, if the Pope's bull of 1569 had not made them matter of treason." "What, sir?" almost roared Parsons, "do you dare to speak evil of the edicts of the Vicar of Christ?"

   1855, Charles Kingsley, chapter 4, in Westward Ho!

   [I]n the spacious ceremonial library of the 16th century Apostolic Palace, the czar of world atheism, Mikhail Gorbachev, will visit the Vicar of Christ, Pope John Paul II.

   1989 December 4, Richard N. Ostling et al., “Religion: Cross Meets Kremlin—Gorbachev and Pope John Paul II”, in Time

2. rareChristianityThe Holy Ghost.

   1 more example

   Grant, then, . . . that the Holy Ghost had no such respect to any one (church) as to lead it into truth, although sent with this view by Christ, and for this asked of the Father that He might be the teacher of truth; grant, also, that He, the Steward of God, the Vicar of Christ, neglected His office . . .

   1885, Tertullian, chapter XXVIII, in Peter Holmes, transl., Prescription against Heretics

plural vicars of Christ

1. ChristianityAny bishop.

   Bishops, as vicars and ambassadors of Christ, govern the particular churches entrusted to them by their counsel, exhortations, example, and even by their authority and sacred power...

   1964, Pope Paul VI, Lumen Gentium, III. xxvii

2. Alternative letter-case form of Vicar of Christ, a title variously granted to the Holy Ghost and to the bishop of Rome.