papabile

Definition

Thought to be among those likely to be elected pope.

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian papabile.

Example Sentences

• "Vatican watchers have already anointed the Honduran prelate papabile or “popeable.”"
• "All of this is creating a pre-conclave atmosphere. Vatican observers watch to see how each cardinal deputizing for the pope acts, and whether they are papabile (literally “pope-able,” or a potential candidate to be pope)."
• "In 2020, Edward Pentin, the senior Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Register, released a book on the topic, titled "The Next Pope: The Leading Cardinal Candidates." In the book, Pentin listed 19 cardinals he considered to be papabile, or "popeable" frontrunners."