Thepontificate is the form of government used inVatican City.[1] The word came to English from French and simply meanspapacy, or "to perform the functions of the Pope or other high official in the Church".[1] Since there is only onebishop of Rome, or pope,pontificate is sometimes also used to describe the reign of a particular pope.[2][3][4] It must not be confused with theHoly See, which since ancient times referred to theepiscopal see of Rome, while the pontificate in theVatican City is "the type of government used there", and is neither a kingdom nor a republic.
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