nuncio

[ nuhn-shee-oh, -see-oh, noo n- ]

/ ˈnʌn ʃiˌoʊ, -siˌoʊ, ˈnʊn- /

a diplomatic representative of the pope at a foreign court or capital: equal in status to an ambassador.

Compare apostolic delegate.

Origin of nuncio

1520–30; < Italian nuncio, nunzio < Latin nūncius, nūntius messenger

He should address the head secretary,1 the governor of the province, or the nuncio.

The Reign of Greed |Jose Rizal
The nuncio, having thus accused Luther, now proceeded to the second point, which was to justify Rome.

History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, Vol 2 |J. H. Merle D'Aubign
The nuncio, Santa Croce, chronicles with alarm the preponderance of those who openly advocated the adoption of lenient measures.

The Rise of the Hugenots, Vol. 1 (of 2) |Henry Martyn Baird
The maddest fanatics were at once elected inquisitors, to the great anger of the pope and his nuncio.

History of the Jews, Vol. IV (of VI) |Heinrich Graetz

The documents thus obtained showed that Nuncio Gravina had been active in furthering the plot of resistance.

A History of the Inquisition of Spain; vol. 4 |Henry Charles Lea

nuncio

/ (ˈnʌnʃɪˌəʊ, -sɪ-) /

RC Church a diplomatic representative of the Holy See, ranking above an internuncio and esp having ambassadorial status

C16: via Italian from Latin nuntius messenger