1. the office or position of the Pope as head of the Roman Catholic Church
2. the period during which a particular Pope holds office
3. the system of government of the Roman Catholic Church headed by the Pope

Examples

• The papacy has existed for nearly two thousand years.
• His papacy lasted for over twenty-six years.
• The medieval papacy wielded enormous political power.
• She wrote her thesis on the Renaissance papacy.
• The papacy moved from Rome to Avignon in the 14th century.
• Many reforms were introduced during his papacy.
• The papacy plays a central role in Catholic doctrine.