Any of the territories over which the Pope exercised sovereignty, especially (in plural) those in central Italy (now historical except with reference to the Vatican, which was established as an independent state in 1929).
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in The North American Review.
Definition of Papal State in US English:
Papal State
noun
Any of the territories over which the Pope exercised sovereignty, especially (in plural) those in central Italy (now historical except with reference to the Vatican, which was established as an independent state in 1929).
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in The North American Review.