Catholics/Vatican

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Expert: - 2/26/2007


Question
I want to know what the word "vatican" means and the current Pope. I know the vatican is where the pope lives, but what does the word mean.
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Answer
"Vatican" derives from "Vaticanus Collis," or Vatican Hill.  The Vatican Hill, the area between the Janiculum Hill and the Milvian Bridge (where Constantine had his great victory) was crossed by important roads.  On it was a pagan temple to Apollo, in which the pagan priest pronounced oracles known as "vaticinia," whence the region derived its name.  There was also a temple to Mars and Cybil.

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Fr. Michael

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A traditional Catholic priest, who provides forthright answers to questions FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF TRADITIONAL CATHOLICISM (not the New Order) on topics pertaining to TRADITIONAL Roman Catholicism, including theology, the Bible, Church history, the Latin language, liturgy (especially the Traditional Latin Mass), and music (especially Gregorian chant), and current events in the Catholic Church.

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