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Glite Dictionary
internuncio

internuncio

9.9
A person who represents the Pope to a country and has a lower position than the Pope's main representative
  • noun
  • /ˌɪntərˈnʌnʧioʊ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : internuncio
  • By return mail, the monks replied that they were not authorized to make decisions and that matters of this kind were to be dealt with via the internuncio, the representative of the Holy See in The Hague.

Examples

  • The internuncio delivered an important message from the Pope to the local clergy.

  • The monks knew well that the internuncio was on their side and that he had repeatedly cautioned the bishop to exercise "prudence" regarding the entire reorganization.

    Academic text (1992)

  • References are made to "the loyalty of the local faithful," but the internuncio must have played a role as well.

    Academic text (1992)

  • The internuncio in The Hague informed the monks of Elzendal in writing that the Holy Father had personally urged the bishop to exercise "the utmost prudence."

    Academic text (1992)

  • In his role as internuncio, he worked to strengthen the relationship between the Vatican and the local church.

  • The internuncio attended the diplomatic meeting to represent the interests of the Holy See.

Surface Forms

internuncio singular
internuncios plural

Morphology

internuncio = nuncio (semi-transparent) = inter + nuncio

The form is analysable as 'inter-' + 'nuncio', but its specific ecclesiastical rank meaning is specialized and not predictable for average learners.

Etymology

Internuncio comes from the Latin parts inter- 'between' and nuncio, which comes from nuntius 'messenger' and shares the same root as announce. So an internuncio is like a 'between-messenger' sent by the Pope to speak to other governments, which explains why the role is a diplomatic representative below a nuncio.