Latin isn’t dead in the Vatican - it’s the official language of the Catholic Church. If you’ve ever sat through a Mass or watched a papal address, you’ve heard it. Here’s a breakdown of the essential phrases, their meanings, and how to say them.
Liturgical Latin 101
Dominus vobiscum
/ˈdo.mi.nus voˈbis.kum/“The Lord be with you”
The priest’s greeting, to which the congregation replies: Et cum spiritu tuo (And with your spirit).
Agnus Dei
/ˈaŋ.nus ˈde.i/“Lamb of God”
A central part of the Mass, referencing Christ’s sacrifice. Often chanted.
Mea culpa
/ˈme.a ˈkul.pa/“My fault”
Part of the Confiteor (penitential rite). Repeated three times while striking the chest.
Papal Latin
Urbi et Orbi
/ˈur.bi et ˈor.bi/“To the city and the world”
The Pope’s traditional blessing, given from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Sede vacante
/ˈse.de vaˈkan.te/“The seat being vacant”
Refers to the period between a pope’s death or resignation and the election of a successor.
Useful for Visitors
- Pax vobiscum (Peace be with you) – A greeting you might hear from clergy.
- Sancta Sedes (Holy See) – The Vatican’s official name in documents.
- Ad maiorem Dei gloriam (For the greater glory of God) – The Jesuit motto, often abbreviated AMDG.
Latin pronunciation in the Church follows the Italianate style, not the classical Roman. So ‘v’ sounds like ‘v’, not ‘w’.
Why Latin Still Matters
The Church keeps Latin for tradition, universality, and precision. Canon law is written in it. Documents like Dei Verbum or Lumen Gentium? Those are Latin titles. Even the legal system still uses Latin terms.
If you’re into etymology, check out how Latin shaped English.
