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‘Habemus Papam’: 16 Latin Expressions Alive in the Vatican
Latin’s not dead. It’s just living its best life in the Vatican.
The recent conclave and the election of a new pope reminded the world of something surprising: Latin isn’t dead. It’s just living in the Vatican. While most of us think of Latin as a relic buried in dusty textbooks or lurking in medical terms no one can pronounce, there’s one tiny sovereign state where Latin is still very much alive and well: Vatican City.
As the world’s smallest independent state (you could walk across it in about 20 minutes), the Vatican might seem like an unlikely language preserver, but it’s actually keeping Latin kickin’ in its daily operations. Let’s dig into how this ancient language continues to thrive behind those famous walls.
Vatican Latin: From ‘Urbi et Orbi’ to ‘Habemus Papam’
Even if you dozed through Latin class, chances are you’ve heard some of these phrases that still echo through St. Peter’s Square and beyond:
- Habemus Papam: “We have a Pope” – Announced when a new pope is elected from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Urbi et Orbi: “To the city and to the world” – The Pope’s blessing delivered on Christmas and Easter.
- Sede Vacante: “The seat is vacant” – Used during the period between popes; even appears on special Vatican coins.
- Pontifex Maximus: “Supreme Pontiff” or “Greatest Priest” – One of the Pope’s titles, dating back to ancient Rome.
- Deo volente: “God willing” – Used when referring to future plans, acknowledging divine providence.
- Ex cathedra: “From the chair” – When the Pope speaks officially and infallibly on matters of doctrine.
- Anno Domini (A.D.): “In the year of our Lord” – Still used in official Vatican timelines and papal records.
- In pectore: “In the heart” – When a pope appoints a cardinal secretly, without naming them publicly.
- Motu proprio: “By his own initiative” – A document issued personally by the Pope, often used to establish laws or policies without external request.
- Imprimatur: “Let it be printed” – An official license granted by a bishop to print a religious work, after a nihil obstat.
- Extra omnes: “Everyone out” – Declared at the start of a papal conclave to clear the Sistine Chapel of all but voting cardinals.
- Annus Sacerdotalis: “Year of the Priest” – Declared by the Pope to emphasize the value and sanctity of priestly ministry.
- Agnus Dei: “Lamb of God” – A phrase used during Mass and hymns, referring to Jesus as the sacrificial lamb.
- Nihil innovetur: “Let nothing be changed” – Juridical note the Holy See sometimes adds to constitutions of religious institutes, prohibiting alterations without new approval.
- Roma locuta, causa finita est: “Rome has spoken; the matter is settled” – Augustinian maxim quoted to underscore the finality of papal or curial judgments.
- Qui primum: “Who first” – Typical incipit (opening words) of many pre-20th-century papal bulls and encyclicals, handy for identifying historic documents.
Latin Lives On in the Vatican
When most of us think about Latin, we picture toga-wearing Romans, bearded philosophers, or maybe that class we struggled through in high school. But in Vatican City, Latin isn’t just studied, it’s used. Like, actually used.
Latin remains the official language of the Holy See, the universal government of the Catholic Church. While Italian serves as the everyday working language and English has become increasingly important for international communications, Latin holds a special status that goes way beyond mere tradition.
The Vatican’s ATMs even offer Latin as a language option! If you’re withdrawing cash in St. Peter’s Square, you might see “Inserito scidulam quaeso ut faciundam cognoscas rationem” instead of “Please insert card.” Talk about a flex on your banking app.
But why keep a supposedly “dead” language alive? According to Vatican historian Professor Antonio Garrigues, “Latin provides continuity across centuries of Church teaching. When a document is written in Latin, its meaning remains stable across cultures and time periods, which is crucial for theological precision.”
The Vatican’s Latin Foundation (Latinitas Foundation) works specifically to preserve and promote Latin usage. They publish dictionaries that create new Latin words for modern concepts, like “interrete” for internet and “telephonium gestabile” for mobile phone. Imagine texting your friends in Latin!
Why does the Vatican still use Latin?
Latin provides unchanging precision for Church documents across centuries, unlike evolving modern languages. It also serves as a neutral international language for the global Catholic community, avoiding preference for any regional tongue. As Cardinal Burke said, "When we pray in Latin, we connect directly to centuries of Catholic heritage."
Do people in the Vatican speak Latin fluently?
Only about 20-30 Vatican officials can converse comfortably in Latin. Most staff use Italian daily, with Latin reserved for official documents and ceremonies. The Pope and high-ranking clergy have working knowledge, though fluency varies. Pope Benedict XVI could improvise Latin speeches, while Pope Francis prefers Spanish and Italian but maintains Latin competency for official functions.
How can learning Latin help me understand politics or religion?
Latin reveals the roots of key political concepts like "republic" (res publica) and "senate" (senatus). For religion, it provides direct access to foundational texts from the Vulgate Bible to theological works. Latin sharpens precision in thinking and expression, as Pope Francis noted. Even basic Latin knowledge connects you to Western cultural traditions and helps you appreciate the ancient language still alive in modern contexts.
Learn Latin with Mondly
The Latin language is no longer a secret code meant only for scholars or the Vatican. Starting right now, you can learn Latin with Mondly using bite-sized lessons and practical topics to help you discover how Romans conversed in their day-to-day life.
Soon enough, you’ll be able to speak like a veritable Vatican insider yourself.
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