Paavst

Paavst is the Estonian word for the Pope, the bishop of Rome and the spiritual leader of the worldwide Catholic Church. In Estonian texts, Paavst is used as a title and appears in religious, journalistic, and academic contexts.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from the Latin papa, a form used across many languages for the papal office. In Estonian, paavst is capitalized as Paavst when referring to the person currently holding the office, and is written in lowercase when discussing the role in general terms.

Role and authority: The Paavst is regarded as the spiritual head of the Catholic Church and, in Catholic doctrine, has universal jurisdiction over the Church. The office resides in Vatican City. The Pope appoints bishops, presides over the Curia, and issues official communications such as encyclicals. In Estonia and other countries, the term Paavst is commonly used in news coverage and liturgical contexts to refer to the Pope.

Cultural context: The Estonian Catholic community is relatively small, and the term Paavst appears primarily in religious education, media reporting on papal events, and translations of Vatican documents. The word functions as a formal title within Estonian-speaking Catholic discourse and mainstream journalism.