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Papal States

Wikipedia

On the model of Italian Stati Pontifici, plural of Stato Pontificio; compare the dated direct calque Pontifical States. The plural is typical in English and reflects the Papal States’ highly regionalised administration, but in various European languages, including contemporary Italian, the singular is more common.

the Papal States pl (normally plural, singular Papal State)

1. (historical) A country in southern Europe that existed until 1870, comprising the territories of Italy (and some enclaves in France) over which the pope was the ruler in a civil as well as a spiritual sense.

   Synonyms: (dated) States of the Church, Pontifical States, (archaic) Ecclesiastical State

• Vatican City
• Holy See