Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Papacy \Pa"pa*cy\, n. [LL. papatia, fr. L. papa a father,
   bishop. See {Pope}.]
   1. The office and dignity of the pope, or pontiff, of Rome;
      papal jurisdiction.

   2. The popes, collectively; the succession of popes.

   3. The Roman Catholic religion; -- commonly used by the
      opponents of the Roman Catholics in disparagement or in an
      opprobrious sense.

Source : WordNet®

papacy
     n : the government of the Roman Catholic Church [syn: {pontificate}]